India and South Africa are going to play the second Test match of the three-match series at the Wanderers stadium in Johannesburg. The visitors have taken a 1-0 lead in the series after clinching a victory in the first Test by 113 runs.
Before the second encounter in Johannesburg, India's off-spinner R Ashwin reminisced his memories from the 2009 Indian Premier League and the 2010 Champion League T20. Both the tournaments were played in South Africa and Ashwin was part of the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) franchise back then.
Super Kings had faced Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) in the semi-final at Wanderers and Ashwin recalled the match in his Youtube video. The IPL 2009 was played in South Africa due to Indian general elections, and Deccan Chargers had emerged as winners.
“Back in 2009, South Africa arrived for IPL as a bandwagon to India during election time. It is also the first place that I have been after getting stamped on the passport. CSK and RCB have played their knock-out semi-final match in this place. I remember Rahul Bhai and Anil bhai taking RCB to play with Deccan Chargers in the final,” he said.
Ashwin was also part of the CSK squad which won the Champions League T20 in South Africa. They had defeated Chevrolet Warriors in the final match at Wanderers to lift the trophy.
The off-spinner had bagged 13 wickets in the tournament to be named as the Player of the tournament, and he has still placed the trophy as first in his cabinet.
“After playing 2009 IPL, I remember we playing Champions League in 2010. This was the place we arrived at for the finals of the Champions League. We had played against Chevrolet Warriors and won the finals. I bagged the player of the tournament title,” said Ashwin.
“I'd call that as a landmark moment of my career. I have still placed that trophy as first in my cabinet. I took a wicket in the game. Davy Jacobs was in excellent form as a captain of the Warriors and has also been in the squad of Mumbai Indians. I remember his reverse sweep at that time!”
