R Ashwin Announces IPL Retirement, Eyes Global T20 Leagues

R Ashwin Announces IPL Retirement, Eyes Global T20 Leagues: Ace spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has decided to bring the curtain down on his IPL career after 17 long years. Fittingly, his last season came in IPL 2025 with the very franchise where it all began back in 2008 – Chennai Super Kings. While he may be done with the IPL, Ashwin has already dropped hints that fans could see him turning out for franchises in leagues around the world.

R Ashwin’s Emotional Goodbye

“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,” the 38-year-old wrote on X, announcing his retirement.

Return to CSK

Ashwin made a homecoming to CSK after the five-time champions bought him for ₹9.75 crore. Unfortunately, the reunion didn’t quite go to plan, as he picked up just seven wickets in nine matches in what turned out to be his final IPL season. Reports had already suggested that CSK and Ashwin were set to part ways.

Ashwin’s IPL Journey

Ashwin’s association with CSK dates back to 2008, although his debut came in the 2009 edition held in South Africa. Over the years, he featured in 221 matches across multiple franchises, collecting 187 wickets.

He played a big role in CSK’s back-to-back title wins in 2010 and 2011, grabbing 13 and 20 wickets in those campaigns. In 2010, he also shone on the global stage, winning the Player of the Series award as CSK lifted the Champions League T20.

After his first CSK stint (2009-2015), where he took 90 wickets, he played under MS Dhoni again at Rising Pune Supergiant in 2016 when CSK were banned. A year later, an injury sidelined him from the 2017 season.

In 2018, the Punjab Kings bought him for ₹7.60 crore and even handed him the captaincy. Across two seasons, he took 25 wickets, but PBKS failed to break into the playoffs.

Ahead of IPL 2020, Ashwin was traded to Delhi Capitals, staying there for two years before being snapped up by Rajasthan Royals in the 2022 mega auction for ₹5 crore. He managed 12 and 14 wickets in his first two seasons with RR but struggled in 2024. After RR released him, CSK brought him back for one last run.

In total, Ashwin played in 16 of 18 IPL seasons, finishing as the fifth-highest wicket-taker in tournament history.

R Ashwin’s Legacy Beyond the IPL

Ashwin had already stepped away from international cricket in 2024 during India’s tour of Australia. His record speaks for itself – 537 wickets in 106 Tests, 156 wickets in 116 ODIs, and 72 wickets in 65 T20Is, giving him a grand total of 765 international wickets, the 11th highest in cricket history.

What’s Next for R Ashwin?

While his IPL journey has ended, Ashwin has made it clear that he isn’t done with the game just yet. At 38 (turning 39 next month), he may not have many years left at the very top, but fans could still see him in T20 leagues across the world.

For now, the message is simple: enjoy R Ashwin’s cricket while we still can.

What’s Next for Ashwin?

While his IPL journey has ended, R Ashwin has made it clear that he isn’t done with the game just yet. At 38 (turning 39 next month), he may not have many years left at the very top, but fans could still see him in T20 leagues across the world.

For now, the message is simple: enjoy Ashwin’s cricket while we still can.