The turning point, according to Ashwin, came during the Challenger Trophy when he managed to dismiss Dhoni twice. One dismissal in particular remains unforgettable for him and apparently for Dhoni too.“Dhoni got out twice against our team. Once, he hit a shot towards deep cover and I took a diving catch. I celebrated it so much that he actually got annoyed,” Ashwin recalled with a smile.The former India spinner then shared the amusing exchange that followed.“He was like, ‘What’s there to celebrate so much?’ I told him, ‘Getting your wicket was my dream. Maybe this will open a door for me in CSK.’ The next year, I got my chance.”Ashwin eventually went on to become one of CSK’s most important bowlers and played a key role in the franchise’s golden era under Dhoni’s captaincy. Reflecting on the secret behind CSK’s dominance between 2010 and 2015, Ashwin credited the franchise’s balanced squad and the contribution of underrated domestic players.“Chennai was one of those early teams with not just good batsmen, but many quality bowlers too. Along with that, a few domestic players came through, like me, Murali Vijay, Badrinath and Shadab Jakati, who many may not know but played a heroic role for CSK,” he said.Ashwin retired from international cricket in December 2024 after one of the most decorated careers for an Indian spinner.