Bengaluru: Legendary spinner R Ashwin announced his retirement from the Indian Premier League on Wednesday, August 27, bringing an end to an illustrious chapter in the T20 league. Taking to social media, Ashwin reflected on his journey in the IPL, thanking the franchises, the BCCI, and the tournament for the memories and opportunities he has had over the years.
“Special day and hence a special beginning. 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,” Ashwin said in a statement.
IPL career highlights
Over his career, Ashwin played 221 matches and picked up 187 wickets, retiring as the fifth-highest wicket-taker in IPL history, behind Yuzvendra Chahal, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Sunil Narine, and Piyush Chawla. The off-spinner also contributed with the bat, scoring 833 runs, including one half-century, while playing for multiple franchises.
Ashwin has been part of five IPL teams: Chennai Super Kings, Rising Pune Supergiants, Punjab Kings, Delhi Capitals, and Rajasthan Royals. He also captained Punjab Kings during his stint with the franchise.
IPL 2025 season and controversies
Ashwin played his final season for Chennai Super Kings, featuring in nine matches, taking seven wickets, and scoring 33 runs. However, the season was marked by underwhelming performances and off-field controversies.
A notable incident involved a YouTube channel associated with Ashwin, where analyst Prasanna Agoram criticised Afghan spinner Noor Ahmad, his CSK teammate. Prasanna suggested that CSK could accommodate an extra batter instead of Noor Ahmad, citing Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja in the lineup. The comments sparked severe backlash from fans, with many defending Noor Ahmad.
The channel later clarified that the analyst’s views were personal and did not reflect Ashwin’s opinions. Following the incident, the channel decided to step away from covering CSK games for the remainder of the season.
Retirement influenced by trade and performance concerns
Ashwin’s decision to retire reportedly came after discussions around the 2026 season and his future with Chennai Super Kings. Bought by CSK for Rs 9.75 crore at the IPL 2025 mega-auction, Ashwin’s homecoming campaign was described as emotional but ultimately disappointing in terms of performance.
He revealed that players rely on franchises for clarity regarding contract renewals. “After every season, it’s the responsibility of the franchise to communicate to the player if they’re retaining or releasing him,” Ashwin said. He also noted that many trade rumours circulating in the media do not originate from players but from franchise sources.
Legacy and future
Ashwin’s retirement from the IPL marks the end of one of the most successful careers for an Indian spinner in the league. His contributions with both bat and ball, leadership roles, and his tactical acumen will be remembered by fans and peers alike.
While his IPL career has concluded, Ashwin indicated that he plans to continue exploring opportunities in cricket leagues worldwide, signalling a new phase in his professional journey.