"Sreesanth was getting a massage, MS Dhoni go angry"- Ravichandran Ashwin reveals unheard tales of Indian cricket
Published - 12 Jul 2024, 09:57 PM | Updated - 23 Aug 2024, 01:15 AM
![MS Dhoni, Ravichandran Ashwin](https://static.cricketaddictor.com/images/2024/DhoniAshwin.webp?q=80)
Apart from his unparalleled success in the game, MS Dhoni is also known for his calm and cool demeanor on the field. No matter what the situation was, the former India skipper hardly showed any emotions on the cricket field.
He is famously called 'Captain Cool' for the same reason. The legendary wicketkeeper-batsman was an absolute expert when it came to controlling emotions. When he started his career as a captain, the Indian team was filled with legendary players such as Sachin Tendulkar, Sourav Ganguly, Rahul Dravid, and others. MS Dhoni went on to exceed all expectations and became one of the most decorated captains in the history of Indian cricket.
While MS Dhoni was extremely good at controlling his emotions on the cricket field, things were seemingly a bit different behind the scenes. His former India teammate Ravichandran Ashwin has revealed that he once became so angry that he decided to send former pacer S Sreesanth back to India mid-way through the tour in South Africa.
When MS Dhoni lost his cool:
MS Dhoni got angry with S Sreesanth after the latter ignored the former India skipper's order to sit in the dugout with other reserves while a game was going on. Sreesanth ignored the call to get a massage in the dressing room.
Ravichandran Ashwin himself was a reserve who played during that game. With the spinner carrying bottles and helmets to the field, MS Dhoni asked him about Sreesanth. Upon learning that the bowler was refusing to sit in the dugout, MS Dhoni had made up his mind to send him back to India, leaving Ashwin stunned.
"I tell him Sree is upstairs in the dressing room. He tells me to tell Sree he has to come down and sit with the other reserves," Ashwin wrote in a book titled 'I Have The Streets- A Kutty Cricket Story', co-authored by senior journalist Sidharth Monga.
"I return to my drink duties. The next time I have to go with a helmet. This time I can sense MS is angry, and I have never seen him lose his cool. ‘Where is Sree? What is he doing?’ MS asks sternly."
"I tell him he is getting a massage. MS doesn’t say anything. In the next over, he calls me to return the helmet. He is calm now. While giving me the helmet, he says, ‘Do one thing. Go to Ranjib sir. Tell him Sree is not interested in being here. Ask him to book his ticket for tomorrow so he can go back to India," added Ashwin.
Ashwin recalled that he was stunned by Dhoni's remark and was just speechless. Sreesanth soon realized that the matter was getting out of hand and immediately joined the reserves in the dugout.
"I am stunned. I’m not sure what to say. I am just staring at his face. MS goes, 'What happened? You don’t understand English either now?'
"Sree quickly gets up and gets dressed. Not only that but now he assumes the drinks duties. The next time MS needs a drink, Sree makes sure he charges out," wrote Ashwin.