Indian cricket star Ravichandran Ashwin, reflecting on his cricketing journey, expressed gratitude towards Chennai Super Kings (CSK) legend Mahendra Singh Dhoni, his first IPL and India captain, whom he considers the one person he will always be indebted to for showing faith in him as a "nobody" thirteen years ago.
Ashwin, having recently entered the exclusive 500-Test wicket club and completing his 100th Test match for India, was honored by the Tamil Nadu Cricket Association in a grand ceremony recognizing his rare feats. The TNCA presented Ashwin with 500 gold coins and a cash prize of INR 1 crore.
"In 2008 I met all the greats (in CSK dressing room) Matthew Hayden and MS Dhoni. I sat through (IPL) 2008. I was a nobody then, where am I to play in a team that had Muttiah Muralitharan," said Ashwin, who was felicitated by the Tamil Nadu Cricket Association in a grand ceremony for his rare achievements.
"I am indebted to Dhoni for the rest of my life for what he gave me. He gave me an opportunity with the new ball to go head on with Chris Gayle and 17 years later Anil bhai would be talking about the same episode," he fondly recalled.
"I don't generally search for words to express how I feel. I am truly humbled and grateful to be here," he quipped. The 37-year-old Chennai man is among the finest thinkers of the game and he has found a way to constantly reinvent himself, resulting in a bagful of wickets in the longest format.
Ashwin described himself as argumentative but only in pursuit of new perspectives.
"Anil bhai and Rahul (Dravid) bhai briefly mentioned that it is very tough to win an argument with me. It is true because I believe argument is one of the greatest pathways to excellence.
"Argument is never with the person. It is always with the true learning that comes at the end of it," he said as Kumble watched on from the stage.
Such is Ashwin's commitment to Tamil Nadu and club cricket that till date he makes himself available for domestic events when he is not on national duty.
"This place has given me so much that I want to keep coming back here. People keep asking why do you want to go back.
"Tomorrow, I might not be alive but my soul will be hanging around this place. This is what this place means to me," added Ashwin.
(With PTI inputs)