Former Indian off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has decided to call it quits from IPL Cricket. He called time on his IPL career with immediate effect. The spin veteran Ashwin posted his decision on social media platform on X where he also hinted that he will be willing to play franchise cricket around the world.
Ravichandran Ashwin had a grand homecoming this year after the Men in Yellow Chennai Super Kings bought him for INR 9.75 Crore. But he endured an underwhelming season, where he could play just 9 matches for the Chennai Super Kings and picked up 7 wickets. Earlier this month, it seemed that CSK and Ashwin were about to part ways according to various reports and now his retirement news finally came.
Ravichandran Ashwin Pens His Retirement.
Taking to social media platform X, Ravichandran Ashwin posted: “They say every ending will have a new start, my time as an IPL cricketer comes to a close today, but my time as an explorer of the game around various leagues begins today.”
Ravichandran Ashwin: Performance Over The Years In IPL.
The 38-year-old Ashwin debuted in the league way back in 2009 for the Chennai Super Kings. He went on to feature in 221 matches across multiple franchises and took 187 wickets. He walks away at the fifth-highest wicket-taker in the IPL, as he has featured in 16 out of the 18 seasons that have been played in IPL so far.
Ravichandran Ashwin was a vital part of CSK’s title wins in 2010 and 2011 as he picked up 13 and 20 wickets respectively in those seasons. In 2010, Ravichandran Ashwin was also the player of the series in CSK’s Champions League T20 victory. In the next year’s IPL final, Ashwin famously bowled the first over and dismissed Chris Gayle for a duck in RCB’s chase of CSK’s 205/5. He also won a second Champions League T20 trophy with CSK in 2014.
After a long successful stint in his home franchise, Ashwin went on to ply his trade at the now-defunct Rising Pune Supergiant, Punjab Kings- who he captained, Delhi Capitals and Rajasthan Royals. From making his debut in 2009 to the 2015 season, Ashwin played for CSK and picked up 90 wickets in all. In 2016, when CSK served a ban, he turned out for RPS, also under MS Dhoni. He then missed the 2017 season through injury.
In 2018, Punjab Kings fought off Rajasthan Royals to prize him away for INR 7.60 Crore, and handed him the captaincy. Even though he managed to pick up 25 wickets across the two seasons, Punjab’s fortunes didn’t change as they finished well outside of the top four on both occasions.
Before the 2020 season, he was traded to Delhi Capitals where he played for two years. In the mega auction of 2022, Rajasthan Royals bagged him for INR 5 crore, and it is here where he formed a lethal spin attack with Yuzvendra Chahal. He picked up 12 and 14 wickets in the first two seasons at RR before facing a slight dip in 2024 where he picked up only 9 wickets at an economy rate of 8.49. RR then released him and CSK bought him for good money at the 2025 mega auction.
Ravichandran Ashwin leaves behind an incredible record and career in IPL cricket. He played for multiple franchises where he shone through and stood up when the team needed it the most. He was not someone to shy away from a fight and situation. Yes, the 2025 season didn’t go his way and he was past his prime by then. But that just does not take away from the fact that Ashwin was a legend in IPL and not just for Team India. His contribution to CSK doing well in the initial years is immense to say the least.
While he walks away into the sunset from IPL, we all wish him all the best for his future plans and do hope that he succeeds in the world leagues that he wants to play across the world.
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