Ravichandran Ashwin Reveals the Secret Behind MS Dhoni’s Iconic Captaincy

Ashwin highlights Dhoni’s focus on cricketing basics, player empowerment, and strategic clarity as keys to his unparalleled success.

New Delhi, December 24: Indian off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has shed light on the defining qualities that set MS Dhoni apart as one of cricket’s greatest captains. As the two cricketing legends prepare to reunite for Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in IPL 2025, Ashwin emphasized Dhoni’s unwavering focus on cricketing basics and his unique approach to leadership as the cornerstones of his success.

During a candid conversation on the Sky Sports Cricket podcast, Ashwin delved into Dhoni’s leadership style, stating, “He does most of the basic things right, and most other captains miss these elementary things, making the game appear more difficult than it is.”

Dhoni’s Trust and Clarity with Bowlers

Ashwin illustrated Dhoni’s clear communication and trust in his bowlers, giving them the freedom to express themselves while ensuring accountability.

“He would never just hand over the ball. The first thing he would say is, ‘Take your field and bowl to it.’ If I bowled loose deliveries to a new batter, he would be livid. If I made the same mistake repeatedly, he wouldn’t hesitate to take me off bowling. That’s the basic essence of cricket that many forget today,” Ashwin explained.

The Tushar Deshpande Example

Reflecting on IPL 2023, where CSK clinched their fifth title under Dhoni’s leadership, Ashwin highlighted how Dhoni maximized the potential of Tushar Deshpande, who took 21 wickets in 16 matches.

“I know exactly what Dhoni would have told Tushar: ‘Get hit on the longer side of the boundary and give me two runs less than last year.’ This approach takes pressure off the bowler while setting clear, achievable goals,” Ashwin said.

Dhoni’s Legacy as a Captain

Dhoni’s captaincy record across formats speaks volumes about his impact:

• Tests: 60 matches | 27 wins | 18 losses | 15 draws | Win rate: 45%
• ODIs: 200 matches | 110 wins | 74 losses | 5 ties | Win rate: 55%
• T20Is: 74 matches | 41 wins | Win rate: 58.33%

Dhoni remains the only captain to have won all three ICC white-ball trophies—the T20 World Cup (2007), the ODI World Cup (2011), and the Champions Trophy (2013).

He also led India to the No. 1 ranking in Test cricket and remains the only Indian skipper to whitewash Australia in two consecutive Border-Gavaskar Trophy series (2010-11, 2012-13).

Focus on the Basics

Ashwin concluded by reinforcing Dhoni’s simplistic yet effective approach to cricketing leadership.

“Certain facets of cricket never change, and Dhoni keeps things simple around them. His clarity of thought and focus on the basics are what truly set him apart,” Ashwin noted.

As fans eagerly await their reunion in IPL 2025, Dhoni’s legacy as a captain and Ashwin’s insights into his leadership continue to inspire both players and cricket enthusiasts worldwide.