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Former Indian cricketer Ravichandran Ashwin recently reminisced about a time when he unintentionally irritated his teammate MS Dhoni during his early days with the Chennai Super Kings (CSK). This anecdote was shared during an episode of 'The Ravichandran Ashwin Experience' on JioHotstar.

Ashwin joined CSK before the inaugural season of the Indian Premier League (IPL) in 2008 but did not get any playing time that year. In 2009, he managed to participate in only two matches. It wasn't until the 2010 season, which CSK won, that he began to receive more opportunities under Dhoni's captaincy.

Reflecting on his journey in franchise cricket, Ashwin recalled watching the legendary Sri Lankan spinner Muttiah Muralitharan bowl from the sidelines, eagerly waiting for his chance. He made his debut against the Mumbai Indians (MI) during the 2009 season in South Africa. In a memorable final of the 2009 Challenger Trophy, Ashwin took Dhoni's wicket while playing for India Red, which was captained by Subramaniam Badrinath. He delivered an impressive spell of 1/11 in seven overs, helping to dismiss a formidable India Blue team for just 84 runs.

Ashwin humorously noted that his exuberant celebration after taking Dhoni's wicket annoyed the captain. He expressed that it was a dream come true to dismiss Dhoni, hoping it would lead to more opportunities in the IPL. 'It took me a long time to grasp the significance of that moment. I had no choice but to wait for my turn, especially with Muralitharan in the team,' he explained.

Ashwin's IPL career began with CSK in 2008, where he quickly became a vital player in the team's success. He played a crucial role in securing IPL titles in 2010 and 2011, as well as Champions League T20 victories in 2010 and 2014.

After a successful stint, Ashwin returned to CSK for the 2025 season, signing for Rs 9.75 crore. During his time away, he played for various teams, including the now-defunct Rising Pune Supergiant, Punjab Kings, Delhi Capitals, and Rajasthan Royals, gaining valuable experience.

In total, Ashwin concluded his IPL career with 187 wickets across 221 matches, boasting an average of 30.22 and best bowling figures of 4/34. He ranks as the fifth-highest wicket-taker in IPL history and has also scored 833 runs in 98 innings, averaging 13.01, including one half-century.