Former India cricketer Krishnamachari Srikkanth has made a bold claim about the legendary Chris Gayle, stating that while the ‘Universe Boss’ could destroy any bowler, he was scared of facing Ravichandran Ashwin.
Speaking at a book launch event in Chennai, Srikkanth revealed that Ashwin had the psychological edge over Gayle, dismissing him in just four balls when they faced off.
🗣 “Chris Gayle could hit anyone for sixes and fours, but all it took for Ashwin to dismiss him was four balls. When Ashwin got the ball in his hand, Gayle’s legs started shaking,” Srikkanth said.
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Ashwin’s Dominance Over Gayle in IPL
Ashwin has a remarkable record against Gayle in the Indian Premier League (IPL).
📌 Head-to-Head Stats in IPL:
- Ashwin has dismissed Gayle five times in the tournament.
- The West Indian batter has managed just 53 runs off 64 balls from Ashwin.
- Gayle’s strike rate against Ashwin in IPL is only 82.8, significantly lower than his usual destructive numbers.
Dhoni’s Role in Ashwin’s Success
Srikkanth also credited MS Dhoni for identifying Ashwin’s potential early in his career and transforming him into a world-class spinner across formats.
🗣 “The man who identified Ashwin as a great T20 bowler was Dhoni. Ashwin has evolved from T20 to ODIs to Tests in an amazing manner. He is not only a good bowler but also a great batter,” he added.
Ashwin’s Return to CSK for IPL 2025
Ashwin, who was bought for ₹9.75 crore in the IPL 2025 mega auction, will be returning to his first IPL franchise, Chennai Super Kings (CSK).
CSK’s CEO Kasi Viswanathan called Ashwin the “prodigal son” returning home.
🗣 “When we first met Ashwin, he was playing Ranji for Tamil Nadu in the early 2000s. We formed a great bond of friendship during IPL 2009 in South Africa,” said Viswanathan.
Ashwin started his IPL career with CSK in 2008, becoming a key part of their title-winning squad in 2010. In IPL 2025, he will reunite with Ravindra Jadeja, forming a lethal spin duo for CSK.
With Ashwin back in yellow, CSK fans will be eager to see if he can once again weave his magic in the IPL!
