Ravichandran Ashwin is widely regarded as one of the best spinners to play T20 cricket. However, the journey of India’s veteran off-spinner wasn’t easy in the shortest format for Chennai Super Kings (CSK).
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During a podcast with cricketer-turned-commentator Sanjay Manjrekar for 'ESPNCricinfo', Ashwin revealed how the 2010 IPL with CSK was a reality check for him.
Ashwin recalled the 2010 IPL when he was axed from the CSK squad after two bad games. Moreover, he felt that coach Stephen Fleming "didn't talk to him" and he was not backed enough.
"People thought that I think highly of myself but flattening of the curve happened when I played in the IPL. It was like a slap in the face like 'listen boss you are not even here'.
"I thought bowling in a T20 game was much easier than bowling in a first-class game," Ashwin said.
He then recollected the bad memories of a game against Royal Challengers Bangalore in which Robin Uthappa and Mark Boucher wreaked havoc on him.
"Robin Uthappa and Mark Boucher taught me harsh lessons as I bowled 14th, 16th, 18th and 20th over at RCB. That youth in me never told me that it was a challenge. I found it as an opportunity to pick wickets.
"I didn't get wickets but went for 40 or 45 runs and put my team into a hole as the next game went into Super Over and we lost it and I was dropped from the squad. It felt like a hard slap," the Tamil Nadu tweaker said.
At the time, IPL franchises, during home games, used to release players who are not in first 18 in a bid to save hotel cost. Hence, Ashwin was sitting at home watching CSK games on TV.
"I was dropped, I vacated the hotel and was sitting at home. I thought that I deserved better as I was in the 30 probables for the 2010 World T20 in West Indies (he didn't make it on that tour)," he said.
"Like I thought, why didn't you back me (CSK). I did exceedingly well in first three games and I had just had two bad games. Anybody can be hit for a couple of games."
The offie also admitted having issues with Fleming who, he thought, had let him down.
"Actually, I had an issue with Stephen Fleming that he didn't have a chat. I valued him so much and he didn't have a chat. So I was sitting at home watching CSK games and making promises in my head that one day I will turn the tide," Ashwin said.
(With PTI inputs)
