NEW DELHI: Veteran spinner
Ravichandran Ashwin
praised
Gautam Gambhir
on Friday, describing him as a tenacious and exceptional motivator. Gambhir is the leading candidate to replace Rahul Dravid as India's head coach. Ashwin credited Gambhir with instilling confidence in him during the early stages of his Test career.
The spinner reminisced about his conversations with Gambhir during his debut full series for India, which took place against New Zealand in 2012.
"Gambhir was a fighter," Ashwin stated, emphasizing the former opener's role in his development as a cricketer.
"I was playing my first full series. I only carried drinks during the first two years before the World Cup (in 2011). He gave me a lot of confidence at the beginning (of his career). I was not used to someone beyond my state (Tamil Nadu) giving me that sort of confidence," Ashwin, as quoted by PTI, said while launching his book -- I Have the Streets - A Kutti Cricket Story -- in Chennai.
Ashwin expressed his views on the former Indian opener, stating that the cricketer's frank and straightforward manner often led to misinterpretation of his character.
"Gautam Gambhir is a very misunderstood person. It's all about perception. He is a fighter.
"The biggest issue with many of us is that we give hero status to someone in our mind and forget about everyone else. This is a sport, not a movie narrative.
"There are no heroes and villains. Gambhir is a competitor. His desire and hunger to win is unbelievable. I have massive respect (for him)," he added.
'Dhoni didn't know someone like me existed'
Ashwin's rise to prominence in the Indian Premier League (IPL) occurred in 2010 when he was selected to play for the Chennai Super Kings, led by the iconic MS Dhoni. This opportunity proved to be a turning point in Ashwin's career, showcasing his skills on a grand stage.
However, Ashwin's journey to the IPL spotlight can be traced back to a pivotal moment in the 2008 Challenger Trophy. It was during this tournament that Ashwin managed to catch the eye of Dhoni, who recognized the young spinner's potential.
"It's an evolving relationship. MS didn't even know someone like me existed in 2008," he remembered.
"And because of that, I made it my life's goal -- from 2009, it was to get the wicket of MS Dhoni. When a person has a goal like this, he will go crazy when an opportunity to achieve it pops up."
Ashwin went back to that final match held in Nagpur.
"We were playing the Challenger Trophy, and I bowled an unbelievable spell. MS would struggle through that spell in Nagpur. Once, when he tried to play, the ball went through his gates.
"I got him out in the final. From then on, I think he saw somebody with skill, and the relationship matured."
Ashwin revealed that once a player gained Dhoni's confidence, they would receive numerous opportunities to showcase their abilities.
"One of MS' usual qualities is that, if he decides this horse (a player) is not ready to race, he will not use you. He needs to know you're a horse.
"But, once he knows you're a horse, only when you feel like giving up, he will look past you. That is MS Dhoni; he believes in you," he added.
'Kirsten, an outstanding human being'
Ashwin's contribution to India's historic 2011 World Cup triumph was minimal. However, the Tamil Nadu spinner fondly remembered the inclusive atmosphere created by head coach
Gary Kirsten
and the entire team, ensuring he never felt left out or unappreciated.
"After winning (the WC), Gary called me over and said we have not done justice to your talent. You have waited two years, but make no mistake, take it from me -- you will achieve far greater things, and I am upset that I will not be a part of it," he reflected.
"So, Gary actually resigned (as head coach) with me first before announcing it outside (laughs). It was surprising for me because in all these two years, Gary actually spoke, maybe, 100 lines to me. Gary was a man of few words and an outstanding human being," he added.
In fact, Ashwin was used sparingly even in the run-up to that World Cup. He offered a reason for that.
"One of the reasons why MS did not play me leading up to the World Cup (2011) was the novelty factor. But eventually, I figured out that they would play me.
"I was about to play the match against Pakistan (2nd semifinal in Mohali). But, they decided to opt for an extra fast bowler because there was heavy dew the previous day there," he concluded.
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