Ravichandran Ashwin Announces Retirement from IPL After Rumored Fallout with CSK

The 38-year-old only retired from international cricket in December last year, midway through the 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia. Ashwin made an emotional return to CSK ahead of IPL 2025, after he was acquired by the franchise for a whopping INR 9.75 crores. However, his homecoming did not go as planned, as he only featured in nine matches, taking seven wickets at an economy rate of 9.13.

Ashwin’s retirement announcement follows rumors that had emerged over his future with the franchise. During the 2025 IPL season, he faced intense criticism from fans for airing his grievances about the team on his YouTube channel. Earlier this month, reports also emerged that the veteran Tamil Nadu off-spinner had requested the CSK management to release him from the squad before the 2026 auction.

While R Ashwin’s IPL retirement message did not address his relationship with CSK, he made a surprising admission about his future, expressing his intent to explore franchise cricket leagues around the world. Ashwin is now eligible to play outside India, as the BCCI rules prevent only active Indian international or domestic players from featuring in an overseas T20 league. The veteran spinner may now set his sights on participating in leagues like the SA20 and the Big Bash League.

Furthermore, the 38-year-old’s retirement also paves the way for CSK to acquire new players, having freed up a significant amount of money. Chennai will be targeting a strong Indian batting option or an overseas all-rounder, utilizing the INR 9.75 crores that they would earn from Ashwin’s exit.

Ravichandran Ashwin’s India Career in Numbers Throughout The Years

Often regarded as one of the most prolific spinners of all-time, Ravichandran Ashwin endured a great cricketing career that lasted close to two decades. Following his retirement from the IPL most recently, it also marks an glorious end to Ashwin’s journey in Indian cricket. 

While the 38-year-old off-spinner is expected to continue playing, with his eyes now set on featuring the franchise T20 leagues across the world, it is important to take a look at the key milestones in his career. Ashwin has played 106 Tests, 116 ODIs and 65 T20Is for India, and is in fact the second highest wicket-taker across all formats for the country, only behind Anil Kumble, who has 953 wickets to his name. 

R Ashwin has scalped a total of 765 wickets in 379 innings, while bowling at an average of 25.8. Ashwin also stands eighth on the list of bowlers with the most career wickets in Tests, while having scored 3,503 runs in the format at a respectable batting average of 25.92, including six centuries and 14 fifties.

Furthermore, Ashwin was a part of the Indian team that won the 2011 ICC ODI World Cup and the 2013 Champions Trophy. He was also named ICC Men’s Cricketer of the Year in 2016, and also found his place on the ICC Men’s Test Team of the Decade between 2011-20.