After an illustrious Indian Premier League (IPL) career spanning 221 matches across five franchises—Chennai Super Kings (CSK), Rising Pune Supergiants, Punjab Kings, Delhi Capitals, and Rajasthan Royals—veteran spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has officially announced his retirement from the tournament. The 38-year-old Chennai cricketer shared the news on X (formerly Twitter) on August 27, confirming his decision to step away from the world’s richest franchise cricket league after 16 seasons.
In his post, Ravichandran Ashwin revealed plans to explore opportunities in various T20 leagues worldwide once he eventually retires from Indian cricket. Reports had already hinted at Ashwin’s growing interest in overseas tournaments. The off-spinner is reportedly eyeing a historic appearance as the first Indian cricketer in The Hundred in England, and on August 31, news surfaced of his registration for the International League T20 (ILT20) in the UAE, where three of six franchises are IPL-owned.
Ashwin’s IPL retirement did not come as a complete shock. After being bought for ₹9.75 crore by CSK in the 2025 mega auction, he endured a challenging season, losing his place in the XI under MS Dhoni’s leadership. With speculation rife that CSK would release him before the IPL 2026 auction, Ashwin took charge of his future and announced his exit on his own terms.
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The off-spinner’s contribution to CSK remains monumental. Across two stints with the franchise (2009–2016 and 2025), he played 106 matches, winning two IPL titles and becoming their third-highest wicket-taker. Widely regarded as one of India’s greatest cricketers, Ashwin’s IPL career is celebrated not just for his bowling brilliance but also for his tactical nous and leadership qualities.
Former South African captain AB de Villiers paid a glowing tribute to Ashwin’s legacy, calling him a “scientist of the game” during a 360 Live session on X. “What a stellar career. A wonderful player, a professor of cricket. He always pushed the boundaries of the rule book but mostly got it right. I have immense respect for players who study the game deeply, and Ashwin was one of them,” de Villiers said.
De Villiers also highlighted Ashwin’s value to CSK, saying, “He was a huge player for India and CSK, and though he played for other teams, I’ll always remember him in the yellow jersey. He should’ve stayed at CSK forever, but retention is never easy with so many factors at play.”
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Praising his underrated batting, AB de Villiers added, “It’s rarely spoken about, but Ashwin often stepped up with the bat in pressure situations for India. He showed incredible character.”
Ashwin’s IPL retirement marks the end of an era for one of the league’s most cerebral players. As he prepares to explore global cricketing opportunities, his legacy as one of India’s finest all-round contributors remains firmly cemented.
