Ravichandran Ashwin’s sudden decision to retire from the Indian Premier League (IPL) at 38 has left many stunned, having retired from international cricket last year. Ravichandran Ashwin carried the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) on his shoulders in their early glory days, but he shockingly announced his retirement from the IPL just after one poor season with them.
The former Indian all-rounder made his comeback to the Chennai Super Kings last year, but things didn’t go as planned, as Ashwin managed only seven wickets in nine matches at an economy of over nine and an average above 40 in the IPL 2025. He scored only 33 runs last year.
Kris Srikkanth shocked by Ravichandran Ashwin’s early IPL retirement
However, the legendary off-spinner’s overall numbers tell a completely different story. With 187 wickets in 221 games at a brilliant economy of 7.20 to his name, Ashwin finished as the fifth-highest wicket-taker in IPL history.
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Meanwhile, former Indian chief selector Kris Srikkanth has expressed his surprise at the timing of Ashwin’s retirement. He believes that the former Indian off-spinner could have played in the IPL for at least two more years, especially considering his fitness and rich experience.
Reacting on his YouTube channel, Srikkanth said, “I am not sure why Ashwin retired. If I were in his place, I would have continued playing IPL for at least another two years. Of course, for Ashwin, money, fame, or name is not an issue. But he could have played in the IPL for another two years and then gone on to play in the other leagues.”
Ravichandran Ashwin eyes global T20 leagues, but Kris Srikkanth calls IPL ‘Unmatched’
However, Ravichandran Ashwin has openly said that he is now eager to explore global T20 leagues. But Srikkanth warned that no league in the world can match the visibility, fame, and prestige of the IPL.
The former Indian chief selector further noted, “One can play other leagues for the sake of it, but what you get in the IPL, other leagues don’t come close to it.”
He also hailed Ashwin’s unforgettable contribution in Chennai Super Kings’ first two IPL title triumphs in 2010 and 2011, as well as their Champions League T20 triumphs in 2010 and 2014.
Srikkanth said, “Ashwin has been one of the best IPL cricketers India has produced. His name to fame itself was through the IPL and CSK, especially when he kept dismissing Chris Gayle for fun.”
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Ravichandran Ashwin quits IPL mid-deal, but still holds key roles at CSK
At the end, the former World Cup winner has opined that Ashwin’s decision to retire in the middle of the three-year IPL deal with the CSK was unexpected and hints at the trade drama in the five-time champions’ camp, but it might give him chances to play or even work as a coach in foreign leagues.
Well, Ashwin may have retired from the IPL, but he is still very much connected to the Chennai Super Kings. He remains the head of CSK’s academies and the High-Performance Centre. CSK has the option to keep Ashwin in these roles regardless of his decision to play in the overseas leagues.
