R Ashwin thanks MS Dhoni for 'CSK Gift', says he wanted to retire on his 100th Test

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Ravichandran Ashwin, who is set to don the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) jersey once again after a decade, expressed his gratitude towards former skipper MS Dhoni for bringing him back to the franchise.

Speaking at the launch of 'Leo-The Untold Story,' a book on CSK written by senior advocate and former TNCA vice president P.S. Raman, Ashwin reflected on his bond with the team and the role Dhoni has played in shaping his career.

"I called MS [Dhoni] for my 100th Test (in Dharamshala) to hand over the memento. I wanted to make that my last Test. But he couldn't make it. However, I didn't think he would give me the gift of getting me back to CSK. It's a much better one. So, thank you MS for doing it. I'm glad to be here," Ashwin said at the event in Chennai, as quoted by Sportstar.

The book launch, a star-studded affair, saw former India cricketer C.D. Gopinath unveiling the book, while musician Anirudh Ravichander received the first copy. Among the notable personalities present were former India skipper Krish Srikkanth, who felicitated Ashwin on his recent retirement from international cricket.

Ashwin has returned to CSK after years. The former India spinner was a core part of their success in the first decade of the tournament. But Ashwin emphasized that despite the passage of time, CSK's core philosophy remains unchanged, making it feel like home again.

Former cricketer C.D. Gopinath, a member of India's first Test-winning team, lauded Dhoni for his calm and composed approach on the field and urged young cricketers to emulate his demeanor.

"My favourite IPL team is Chennai Super Kings. I pick CSK mainly because of MSD-not because of his cricketing brain but because of how he plays. He does not go strutting around the field jumping 10 feet high. He does not make obscene gestures. It makes me very uncomfortable when I see some of that. I think it's very unfair and very ungentlemanly. That's not the way it should be played. I hope the younger people emulate him," the 95-year-old former India player said.