R Ashwin said that MS Dhoni became one of the most successful captains of all time because he got the basics right. Ashwin added that Dhoni backed the bowlers but also got angry if his instructions were not followed. The 38-year-old announced his retirement from international cricket after the third Test against Australia at the Gabba. Ashwin enjoyed a good time under Dhoni’s captaincy, and the two will reunite at Chennai Super Kings during IPL 2025.

Ashwin feels that most skippers fail to follow the basics. Speaking to Nasser Hussain and Michael Atherton on Sky Sports, Ashwin hailed Dhoni. “Dhoni got most of the basics right. Most of the other leaders miss the basic things, which makes the game look difficult for them,” he said.

The 38-year-old also explained about the freedom given to the bowlers by MS Dhoni. “He would never give the ball to the bowler. The first thing he wanted a bowler to do was to set the field and bowl accordingly. He hated if a loose delivery was bowled to a new batter. If I did that, he wouldn’t take me off,” he said.

“But If I allow a new batter to cut or drive, he would be livid and take me off bowling. Over the years, I have realized that peole have forgotten the basics,” he added.

Ashwin is the third leading wicket-taker for the Chennai Super Kings. He took 120 wickets for the franchise at an average of 23.70 and an economy rate of 6.66. Dhoni led CSK to five IPL titles and also won three ICC titles with India National Cricket Team.