India off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin believes that the Champions League T20 win with Chennai Super Kings was a landmark moment for his career. Since then he never looked back.
On his Youtube channel, Ashwin was sharing memories about this ground, The Wanderers ahead of the 2nd Test at Johannesburg. India is currently leading the series by 1-0 after a 113-run at Centurion as they are chasing their first series win in the rainbow nation.
Ashwin recollected the memories of IPL 2009 when he made his IPL debut for Chennai Super Kings. Anil Kumble led RCB knocked CSK out of the tournament in the semifinal though they fell short against Deccan Chargers in the final.
Ashwin picked 13 wickets in the tournament with an economy of 6.51
“Back in 2009, South Africa arrived for IPL as a bandwagon to India during election time. It is also the first place that I have been after getting stamped on the passport. CSK and RCB have played their knock-out semi-final match in this place. I remember Rahul Bhai and Anil Bhai taking RCB to play with Deccan Chargers in the final,” Ashwin said.
Ashwin also shared his memories for Champions League T20 in 2010 when CSK won the title by beating Warriors in the final at Johannesburg. Ashwin fondly remembers it as he was given the ‘Player of The Tournament’ award. The off-spinner picked 13 wickets in 6 games with an economy of 6.51. Ashwin believes the Player of The Tournament award in that tournament holds a special place in his heart.
“After playing 2009 IPL, I remember we playing Champions League in 2010. This was the place we arrived at for the finals of the Champions League. We had played against Chevrolet Warriors and won the finals. I bagged the player of the tournament title,” said Ashwin.
“I’d call that as a landmark moment of my career. I have still placed that trophy as first in my cabinet. I took a wicket in the game. Davy Jacobs was in excellent form as a captain of the Warriors and has also been in the squad of Mumbai Indians. I remember his reverse sweep at that time!” he added.
Davy Jacobs scored 286 runs in 6 games with a strike rate of 145.17 and he was 2nd leading run-scorer of the tournament behind Murali Vijay (294). However, he couldn’t replicate his success in IPL with Mumbai Indians as he scored just 92 runs in 7 games.
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