Ashwin Reveals MS Dhoni's Furious Demand to Send S Sreesanth Home Mid-Tour
Incident during India's 2010 South Africa tour detailed in Ashwin's autobiography 'I Have The Streets - A Kutty Cricket Story'
BNH BUREAU
Chennai - Ravichandran Ashwin, in his autobiography 'I Have The Streets - A Kutty Cricket Story', has unveiled a shocking incident from India's tour to South Africa in 2010, where former captain MS Dhoni was reportedly so furious with S Sreesanth that he demanded the fast bowler be sent back home mid-tour.
The incident occurred during an ODI match in Port Elizabeth, where Ashwin, assigned the duty of carrying drinks, inadvertently found himself at the center of a heated exchange between Dhoni and Sreesanth. Dhoni, known for his composed demeanor, was visibly angered by Sreesanth's behavior with reserve players, prompting him to instruct team manager Ranjib Biwal to arrange for Sreesanth's immediate departure from the tour.
In his autobiography, Ashwin recalls the tense moments: "I take water. MS drinks. Two overs later, I take more. He drinks more. Then again. I have carried more water for MS than anyone else. When I go in for the drink break, MS asks, 'Where is Sree?'"
Ashwin describes Dhoni's reaction as unprecedented: "MS insists on finding out. I tell him Sree is upstairs in the dressing room. He tells me to tell Sree he has to come down and sit with the other reserves."
The situation escalated further when Dhoni directed Ashwin to inform Sreesanth of his decision to send him back to India. "While giving me the helmet, he says, 'Do one thing. Go to Ranjib sir. Tell him Sree is not interested in being here. Ask him to book his ticket for tomorrow so he can go back to India,'" Ashwin writes.
"Sree quickly gets up and gets dressed. Not only that, but now he assumes the drinks duties," Ashwin recalls. The incident concluded with Sreesanth complying with Dhoni's directive, although tensions lingered within the team.
Reflecting on the incident years later, Ashwin acknowledges the impact of Dhoni's stern approach: "MS and Sree sort it out later, but during that period I am caught in a situation in which I would ideally be laughing but am too scared to do so."
The revelation offers a rare glimpse into the dynamics within the Indian cricket team during Dhoni's captaincy, showcasing a moment when even the most composed leader in Indian cricket history lost his cool.
