• Home
  • Player Stories
  • Ashwin Recalls When An Angry Ms Dhoni Wanted To Send Sreesanth Back India From Middle Of A Tour

Ashwin Recalls When An Angry MS Dhoni Wanted To Send Sreesanth Back India From Middle Of A Tour

Ashwin shares an interesting story involving Dhoni and Sreesanth [x.com]Ashwin shares an interesting story involving Dhoni and Sreesanth [x.com]

In Ravichandran Ashwin's autobiography, "I Have The Streets - A Kutty Cricket Story," the Indian off-spinner shares some memorable stories from his cricketing journey.

One notable incident involves MS Dhoni, S Sreesanth, and Ashwin himself during a match against South Africa in Port Elizabeth in 2010.

Ashwin recalls how an angry MS Dhoni, during the game, instructed him to tell team manager Ranjib Biswal to send Sreesanth back to India. S Sreesanth had been ignoring the skipper’s calls to sit in the dugout with the other reserves and instead opted for a massage in the dressing room.


Dhoni's Frustration and Sreesanth's Reluctance

"I take water. MS drinks. Two overs later, I take more. He drinks more. Then again. I have carried more water for MS than anyone else. When I go in for the drink break, MS asks, ‘Where is Sree?’" Ashwin narrates.

Dhoni’s calm yet firm demeanor left Ravi Ashwin unsure of the skipper's intentions. The captain insisted on finding out Sreesanth's whereabouts, asking Ashwin to relay the message.

"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."

Despite Ashwin's efforts, Sreesanth was reluctant. “Sree says, ‘Okay, you go. I will come,’” Ashwin recalls.

Returning to his drink duties, Ashwin sensed Dhoni's growing frustration.

"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."

After learning Sreesanth was getting a massage, Dhoni instructed Ashwin to tell Biswal to book Sreesanth’s flight back to India. "MS goes, ‘What happened? You don’t understand English either now?’"

Ashwin reveals the humorous yet tense moment, "Sree quickly gets up and gets dressed. Not only that but now he assumes the drinks duties." 

Sreesanth's swift compliance showed the impact of Dhoni’s words.

The story illustrates the unique dynamics within the Indian cricket team and highlights Dhoni’s leadership style. Ashwin’s account is filled with such anecdotes, making his autobiography an engaging read for cricket fans.

Published by Penguin Random House and co-authored by senior journalist Sidharth Monga, the 184-page book covers Ashwin’s journey from his early years to India’s World Cup win in 2011.