"Book his ticket for tomorrow so he can go back to India" - Ravichandran Ashwin recalls the moment when MS Dhoni was angry with Sreesanth
Veteran Indian off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin recalled an incident when former Indian captain MS Dhoni was furious with fast bowler Sreesanth. Dhoni generally doesn't show his emotions on the field, but Ashwin's anecdote brings out the other side of the legendary wicketkeeper.
India were playing a game in South Africa at Port Elizabeth (now named Gqeberha) in 2010 and Ashwin had been carrying drinks. Dhoni was apparently disappointed not to see Sreesanth sitting with the reserves in the dugout.
In his book 'I Have The Streets- A Kutty Cricket Story', Ravichandran Ashwin revealed his chat with MS Dhoni and how the latter got angry when Sreesanth didn't come down from the dressing room despite Ashwin reminding him once.
"I return to my drink duties. The next time I have to go with a helmet. This time I can sense MS is angry, and I have never seen him lose his cool. ‘Where is Sree (Sreesanth)? What is he doing?’ MS asks sternly,” Ashwin wrote.
"I tell him he is getting a massage. MS doesn’t say anything. In the next over, he calls me to return the helmet. He is calm now. While giving me the helmet, he says, ‘Do one thing. Go to Ranjib sir (the team manager). Tell him Sree is not interested in being here. Ask him to book his ticket for tomorrow so he can go back to India," he added.
Ashwin was shocked to see Dhoni angry and stood there for a moment to process what he had heard. Dhoni told him to immediately relay the message.
MS Dhoni's anger made Sreesanth come out with drinks next
After knowing MS Dhoni was angry, Sreesanth carried the drinks in the next break. Despite that, Dhoni asked Ashwin again whether he had told the manager to book Sreesanth's ticket.
"Sree quickly gets up and gets dressed. Not only that, but now he assumes the drinks duties. The next time MS needs a drink, Sree makes sure he charges out. Instead of taking the drink from him, MS motions for me to come over. ‘Did you tell Ranjib sir or not?’ he asks me,” Ashwin elaborated in his book.
Ashwin further wrote that both Dhoni and Sreesanth resolved the issues within themselves later.