Chris Gayle and Ravichandran Ashwin may have played cricket for different countries but nobody can deny the fact that they both can be counted among the best cricketers of the modern day cricket.
While Chris Gayle will always be remembered for his explosive batting style, R Ashwin will always be discussed for his lethal spin bowling and wicket-taking ability. They both have played against each other quite a lot and recently former Indian cricketer Krishnamachari Srikkanth recalled an interesting chapter in cricket which involved both Gayle and Ash.
While speaking about both of them, Krishnamachari Srikkanth highlighted Ravichandran Ashwin’s dominance over explosive Chris Gayle. Whereas Gayle was known for his ability to dispatch bowlers to all parts of the ground with ease, Srikkanth pointed out that it took Ashwin only a handful of deliveries to unsettle and dismiss the West Indies powerhouse.
Speaking at a book launch event in Chennai, Srikkanth observed that Chris Gayle, usually unshakable at the crease, appeared visibly uneasy while facing Ashwin. He emphasised how the fearsome batter who is renowned for his aggressive stroke play struggled against the Indian spinner, with Ashwin dismissing him five times in the Indian Premier League. Statistics further reinforce this narrative, as Gayle managed just 53 runs off 64 deliveries from Ashwin, scoring at a modest strike rate of 82.8.
Srikkanth also credited former Indian captain MS Dhoni for recognising Ashwin’s potential early in his career and nurturing him into a world-class bowler across all the formats. He lauded Ashwin’s remarkable evolution from a promising T20 bowler to a match-winner in ODIs and Tests, also acknowledging his ability as a reliable batter.
The anticipation for Ashwin’s return to Chennai Super Kings in the IPL 2025 season has added excitement among fans. Bought for Rs 9.75 crore in the mega auction, Ashwin’s homecoming has been warmly welcomed by the franchise. Chennai Super Kings CEO Kasi Viswanathan reminisced about their early association, recalling Ashwin’s emergence in the domestic circuit and their camaraderie since the 2009 IPL season in South Africa.
Having begun his IPL journey with Chennai in 2008, Ashwin made a name for himself in the 2010 season and has since enjoyed a long and illustrious career in the tournament. Now as he reunites with his former teammate Ravindra Jadeja, Chennai fans eagerly await their dynamic partnership in the upcoming season, hoping for yet another triumphant campaign.
