Ravichandran Ashwin retirement
One of the most successful bowlers in IPL, Ravichandran Ashwin has announced his retirement from the league, bringing an end to his 16-season career. The 38-year-old veteran off-spinner announced his decision on Twitter and hinted that he will now try his hand at other franchise leagues around the world.
A legacy of wickets and titles
Ashwin’s IPL journey began in 2009 with Chennai Super Kings (CSK). He was the pillar of the team during their title wins in 2010 and 2011 and also contributed to their victory in the Champions League T20 in 2010 and 2014. From his debut to 2015, he took 90 wickets for the franchise. A memorable moment was dismissing Chris Gayle for a duck in the 2011 IPL final, which was a crucial early blow to CSK’s title defence.
His career stats are a testament to his impact: he played 221 matches and took 187 wickets, making him the fifth-highest wicket-taker in the league’s history.
Journey across franchises
After a two-year ban from CSK, Ashwin played for Rising Pune Supergiants in 2016. He then moved to Punjab Kings in 2018, where he was bought for Rs 7.60 crore and appointed captain. He later played for Delhi Capitals and Rajasthan Royals as well, where he formed a formidable spin pair with Yuzvendra Chahal.
His final season in 2025 saw him return to CSK, who bought him for Rs 9.75 crore. However, the season was a disappointing one, as he took only seven wickets in nine matches, marking a quiet end to his illustrious career. Ashwin’s retirement marks the closing of an important chapter in the IPL.