By Krishna Dua 
Ravichandran Ashwin Retires from IPL, Eyes Overseas Leagues
In a move that marks the end of an era for the Indian Premier League (IPL), veteran Indian off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has officially announced his retirement from the tournament. The announcement, made through a social media post on Wednesday, August 27, 2025, confirmed that after a glorious 16-year journey, his time as an IPL cricketer has come to a close. However, in the same breath, Ashwin, a master of strategy and reinvention, hinted at a new chapter in his cricketing life, stating that his “time as an explorer of the game around various leagues begins today.” This decision comes just nine months after he retired from international cricket, setting the stage for him to become a full-time globetrotter in the world of franchise T20 cricket.
Ashwin’s career in the IPL is nothing short of legendary. He debuted for the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in 2009 and went on to become an indispensable part of the franchise’s most successful years. His subtle variations, carrom ball, and intellectual approach to the game made him a formidable force, especially under the leadership of MS Dhoni. Over the years, Ashwin played for five different franchises, each time bringing his vast experience and tactical nous to the fore. He retires with an impressive tally of 187 wickets from 221 matches, placing him among the top five all-time wicket-takers in the league’s history. His final season was a homecoming, as he returned to CSK in 2025 for his last stint.
The Chennai Super Kings Years: A Homegrown Hero’s Legacy
Ravichandran Ashwin’s journey with the Indian Premier League is deeply intertwined with the Chennai Super Kings. A local boy from Chennai, he was signed by the franchise in the inaugural 2008 season but made his debut a year later in 2009. His rise to prominence began in the 2010 season, where he played a crucial role in CSK’s maiden title victory. Under the astute captaincy of MS Dhoni, Ashwin blossomed into a world-class T20 bowler. Dhoni’s unconventional decision to use Ashwin as a new-ball bowler in the powerplay became a masterstroke, and the duo’s on-field synergy became a benchmark for strategic bowling in the league. Ashwin’s ability to maintain a tight line and length, combined with his deceptive variations, was instrumental in stifling opposition batsmen and creating pressure that led to wickets.
He was a vital member of the CSK squad that won back-to-back IPL titles in 2010 and 2011, and also lifted the Champions League T20 trophy in both those years. During his initial stint with CSK, from 2009 to 2015, he played 97 matches, taking 90 wickets at an impressive economy rate of just 6.43. His performances were not just about taking wickets; they were about controlling the game, building pressure, and creating opportunities for others. His final season in the IPL saw him return to CSK in 2025, a homecoming that was celebrated by fans. The franchise bought him for a significant sum of Rs 9.75 crore, a testament to his continued value in the league. While the team finished at the bottom of the points table, and his personal performance, with seven wickets from nine games, might not have been his career-best, his presence in the dressing room and his role as a senior statesman were invaluable.
From Rising Pune Supergiant to Rajasthan Royals: A Career of Reinvention
Following his successful stint with CSK, Ashwin’s career took him to various other franchises, each presenting a new challenge and a new opportunity for reinvention. In 2016, he joined the now-defunct Rising Pune Supergiant, where he played a season under Dhoni once again. He then moved to Kings XI Punjab (now Punjab Kings) in 2018, where he was entrusted with the captaincy. His tenure as captain was marked by his unconventional and aggressive on-field decisions.
Perhaps the most famous—or infamous—of these moments came in 2019 when, as captain of Punjab, he ‘Mankaded’ Rajasthan Royals’ star batsman Jos Buttler at the non-striker’s end. The dismissal, which was legal but widely debated in terms of the “spirit of cricket,” created a massive controversy and became one of the most talked-about moments in IPL history. This incident encapsulated Ashwin’s personality as a player who was not afraid to challenge the norms and use every available rule to his advantage.
After two seasons with Punjab, he was traded to the Delhi Capitals in 2020, where he continued to perform consistently, both with the ball and as a leader in the spin department. It was with the Rajasthan Royals from 2022 to 2024 that Ashwin truly reinvented himself as a T20 all-rounder. He not only continued to be a canny spinner but also became a valuable lower-order batsman. In 2022, he became the first player in IPL history to ‘retire out’ himself for tactical reasons, a move that again sparked widespread debate and showcased his innovative thinking. His batting performance, including a maiden IPL fifty, further solidified his status as a multi-dimensional player.
A Statistical Look at a Glorious Career
Ravichandran Ashwin’s IPL career statistics speak for themselves. In 221 matches, he took 187 wickets at an average of 30.22 and an excellent economy rate of 7.20. His best bowling figures were 4/34. With the bat, he scored 833 runs, including one half-century, and played crucial cameos down the order. His ability to maintain a low economy rate, even on flat Indian pitches, was a testament to his skill and variations.
He finishes his career as the fourth-highest wicket-taker in the history of the IPL, a list that includes some of the biggest names in T20 cricket. His legacy, however, extends beyond the numbers. He will be remembered as a thinking cricketer, a master of his craft, and a fierce competitor who was always looking for an edge.
A New Beginning: The Explorer of Global Leagues
In his retirement announcement, Ashwin stated that his time as an IPL cricketer had come to a close, but his time as “an explorer of the game around various leagues begins today.” This suggests that he is not entirely done with the game and plans to play in other T20 leagues around the world. Given his vast experience and tactical mind, he would be a valuable addition to any franchise seeking a seasoned spinner and a cricketing brain in the dressing room.
As he bids farewell to the IPL, Ravichandran Ashwin leaves behind a legacy of innovation, competitive fire, and unyielding commitment to his craft. He was a champion with the ball, a handy contributor with the bat, and a cricketing mind that shaped the game. The IPL will be a lesser place without his presence, but the memories of his glorious career will undoubtedly inspire a new generation of cricketers to follow in his footsteps