Ravichandran Ashwin on Saturday recalled a fond memory from 2008 when he landed his first Chennai Super Kings contract after having impressed former Indian cricketer Krishnamachari Srikkanth in a first class game. Ashwin, who recently achieved a number of milestones including taking 500 Test wickets and playing 100 Tests for India, said Srikkanth’s word pushed the Chennai franchise to give him an IPL contract.
Ashwin played for Chennai Super Kings till 2015 before switching teams. However, he was just a rookie in 2008. He did not have any hopes of playing in the IPL till the time he impressed one of the legends of Indian cricket.
Ashwin on Saturday was felicitated by the Tamil Nadu Cricket Association for achieving quite a few landmarks in the recently-concluded IND vs ENG Test series. Ashwin became the 2nd Indian bowler after Anil Kumble to achieve 500 Test wickets. He also played his 100th Test for India in the IND vs ENG 5th Test. TNCA handed him a cheque of Rs 1 crore and a mace to commemorate the special occasion.
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In the event, Ashwin recalled how he got his first IPL contract.
“I would definitely not be able to sleep tonight if I do not recall this instance. In 2008, I was playing a (TNCA first-division) game for Jolly Rovers CC against India Cements (Vijay CC). I picked up six wickets and went back home as Man of the Match. K Srikkanth was the chief guest that night. He picked up the mic and said: ‘Ashwin, you bowled superbly. You should go to Chennai Super Kings and learn from Muttiah Muralitharan,” Ashwin recalled.
“I was famished because I was not in the (CSK) team. We did not have auctions (for domestic players) at that time. He turned to Kasi (CSK CEO KS Viswanathan) and said: ‘Are you not taking him in the team?’ That particular line changed my life altogether. I received a contract from CSK the next day,” Ashwin added.
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