Image: Ashwin praised Dhoni's captaincy for mastering the basics and maximizing bowlers' strengths / © Free Press Journal
MS Dhoni’s leadership has been a cornerstone of Indian cricket’s success, with numerous players extolling his tactical acumen and calm demeanor. Ravichandran Ashwin, reflecting on his experiences under Dhoni, shared insights into the captain’s approach that made him a legend in world cricket. Speaking on a renowned Podcast, Ashwin emphasized Dhoni’s focus on the basics, which many captains overlook.
Ashwin recounted how Dhoni allowed bowlers to set their fields but demanded discipline. He said:
It’s a very simple question to answer in my head. He does most basic things right, and most other captains miss the basic elementary things. It makes the game look much more difficult for them. He would never, for example, if he gave the ball to the bowler, the first thing he would say, “Take your field and bowl to the field”… If I gave a batter a ball to cut or drive when he came out to bat, he would be livid. He would make me feel my place and take me off the bowling.
Dhoni’s ability to maintain balance and extract the best from his bowlers has made him one of cricket’s most decorated captains, with victories across all major ICC tournaments.
Ashwin is set to reunite with Dhoni at Chennai Super Kings in IPL 2025, after being bought for ₹9.75 crore at the auction. Ashwin’s familiarity with Chennai’s conditions and his versatility as an all-rounder makes him a valuable asset for CSK. Though Dhoni may not be the captain, his presence behind the stumps will guide the team strategically.
The Ashwin-Dhoni duo, celebrated for past achievements, is expected to deliver more success for CSK in the upcoming season, further solidifying their legacy.