‘He even apologised to me’ – Ashwin recalls when MS Dhoni said sorry to him during Wankhede Test in 2013

Ravichandran Ashwin has unveiled an intriguing dimension of MS Dhoni’s captaincy, revealing how the former India skipper remained acutely aware of bowlers approaching five-wicket milestones during Test matches and strategically prolonged their spells against lower-order batsmen to help them achieve that landmark.

Dhoni’s attention to such moments extended beyond typical captaincy, showcasing a caring approach to recognising individual achievements. The legendary off-spinner, who retired from international cricket in December 2024, noted that most captains stay alert to these opportunities, yet Dhoni’s follow-through was consistently exceptional.

“If there’s something like that, like a five-wicket haul on the line, I don’t usually ask for the ball. Interestingly, MS Dhoni always used to keep an eye on these things. Once, he even apologised to me. I had taken four wickets at Wankhede, and he took me out of the attack.

“I was standing at point, the innings ended, the Test match finished, and he removed the stumps. After removing the stumps, he looked at the scoreboard and realised I had taken four wickets. Then he said, ‘Oh, you were on four wickets? Sorry, man.’ So yes, captains usually keep an eye on these things. If a bowler is on four wickets, they generally give him another spell against the tail-enders,” he said on JioStar.

Why Dhoni’s awareness mattered beyond the field

The anecdote captures Dhoni’s character both during and after competition. Rather than moving past the moment once the match concluded, the former Chennai Super Kings captain made a deliberate effort to acknowledge his oversight, displaying genuine regard for a bowler’s personal milestone. Ashwin went on to finish his Test career with 37 five-wicket hauls in international cricket, placing him joint-fourth on the all-time list.

His observation underscores an underappreciated aspect of Dhoni’s captaincy, one that transcended tactical decisions made during play. His readiness to support bowlers at critical career junctures, paired with his awareness of individual accomplishments, shaped his leadership style. For a cricketer working towards a significant record, such captainly backing proved invaluable in the high-pressure world of Test cricket.