Ravichandran Ashwin retires from IPL ahead of 2026 auction; hints at next assignments

Chennai Super Kings all-rounder Ravichandran Ashwin has decided to call time on his IPL career ahead of the 2026 mini-auction. It was recently reported that Ashwin could part ways with the five-time champions. 

During the IPL 2025 mega auction, CSK had brought Ashwin for INR 9.75 crore, as the off-spinner returned to the franchise after nine years. However, the veteran spinner didn’t have a happy homecoming, taking only seven wickets in nine matches at a high economy rate of 9.12.

Overall, Ashwin scalped 187 wickets in 221 IPL matches at an average of 30.23 and an impressive economy rate of 7.20. Ashwin also scored 833 runs in the lucrative tournament. 

Ravichandran Ashwin wrote on X, “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.”

“Would like to thank all the franchisees for all the wonderful memories and relationships over the years and most importantly the @IPL and the @BCCI for what they have given me until now. I look forward to enjoying and making the most of what’s ahead of me,” he added.

Ashwin ends his career as the fifth-highest wicket-taker in the IPL. The off-spinner won two IPL titles with Chennai Super Kings in 2011 and 2012.

Ashwin made his IPL debut with CSK in IPL 2009 and played for the franchise till 2015. Subsequently, he moved to Rising Pune Supergiant when CSK were banned for two years. Ashwin also led Punjab Kings (then Kings XI Punjab) and also played for Delhi Capitals and Rajasthan Royals.