R Ashwin and Steve Smith.
Ravichandran Ashwin announced his retirement from international cricket in a stunning manner after the Gabba Test, which finally ended a glittering career that spanned 14 long years.
In the longest format of the game, Ashwin is the second-highest Test wicket-taker, but he was equally successful in ODI and T20 cricket. While he retired from international cricket, Ashwin still has a lot to offer in club cricket, where he will play for the Chennai Super Kings in the Indian Premier League (IPL).
Ashwin has played for several clubs in the IPL, including the Delhi Capitals, where former Indian cricketer Mohammad Kaif shared the dugout with him. Kaif recently shared an anecdote that highlighted Ashwin's sharp cricketing mind.
Recalling his time as an assistant coach with the Delhi Capitals, Kaif described an incident involving Ashwin and Australian batsman Steve Smith, both members of the franchise.
"I've worked with Ashwin in the IPL for two seasons in the Delhi Capitals camp. Back in 2020, when the team reached the final, Ashwin played a crucial role. He bowled with the new ball and even got the wickets of big players like Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Kieron Pollard, etc. Later in 2021, he was even picked for the T20 World Cup, which happened after the IPL and both tournaments were held in Dubai," Kaif said in the video.
"Steve Smith was in our team, and one day when he came to the nets to bat, I asked Ashwin to bowl to him, but the off-spinner denied. That's when I was impressed with his in-depth analysis of the game, and I request you to name him an 'in-depth' Ashwin.
Ashwin said, 'I won't bowl to Smith because he has got a camera on his helmet. He will record us and analyse it for the World Cup.' I couldn't notice the camera on Smith's helmet, but Ashwin did. He was ready to help Smith as a teammate but not for the World Cup," Kaif added.
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