Ravichandran Ashwin reveals MS Dhoni's 15-year-old funky mantra behind his success

Veteran Indian off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin recently shared insights into his long-standing relationship with MS Dhoni and the funky advice the legendary wicketkeeper-batter has been giving him for the past 15 years.

Ashwin also revealed a conversation with Dhoni in Dubai after a match between the Delhi Capitals and Chennai Super Kings in the IPL 2021. The Indian cricket team spinner has recalled discussing his evolving bowling techniques, particularly the development of his backspin delivery, with the former Indian captain.

Ravichandran Ashwin reveals MS Dhoni's funky 15-year-old advice that shaped his career

Ashwin said that Dhoni had reaffirmed his belief in his unique style and encouraged him to continue embracing his innovative approach during their interaction in Dubai. The ace off-spinner shared how Dhoni’s advice to stay true to his strengths and continuously refine his skills shaped his successful career.

Notably, the legendary wicketkeeper has always been a big help for the bowlers, and even many, including Yuzvendra Chahal and Kuldeep Yadav, admitted that Dhoni's tips from behind the stumps helped them a lot in improving their game.

Ravichandran Ashwin was quoted as saying by RevzSports. “He (Dhoni) always said, ‘Your greatest strength is to try new things, to be funky. So, do not change that for anybody else.’ I met him in Dubai after a game between Delhi against CSK and I asked him, ‘How you find it? I have developed that backspin.’

He said, ‘You are always like that. It has been your strength. Remember, you continue to be funky. Remember, you continue to work on your variations’. I was like, this was what he told me 15 years ago. The man continued to see the same thing. And then like after a brief pause, he told me again, ‘you know what, I know what you are thinking but that is your strength. So, keep being funky, keep expressing yourself’.”

Ashwin opens up on MS Dhoni’s psychological edge and player insights

Furthermore, Ashwin highlighted Dhoni's keen ability to assess and enhance the mental aptitude of players, citing the example of Tushar Deshpande's performances for CSK in the IPL. Ashwin noted that Dhoni's focus extends beyond technical skills to include the psychological aspects of the game.

The senior off-spinner has noted that Dhoni’s psychological approach has helped a lot of players, and he continues to help many players. Apart from this, Ashwin highlighted Dhoni's strategy, which involves identifying individuals with specific strengths and placing them in roles where they can thrive.

Ashwin signed off by saying, “Maybe it is not just the cricket that he sees. He sees, more sort of a mental strength side of things, or the mental aptitude side of things. And I find that he did that with Tushar Deshpande also for CSK. So, he continues to do that. He continues to pick people who are good in certain roles and fitting them in.”

Notably, Ashwin is likely to rejoin the CSK for the next edition of the IPL in 2025, as he already returned to India Cements and will take charge of the CSK High-Performance Centre in Chennai, which is being set up on the city's outskirts.