On Wednesday, Chennai Super Kings (CSK) off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin announced his retirement from the Indian Premier League (IPL).
Ashwin expressed gratitude to the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and IPL for the “wonderful memories” and relationships he formed over the years.
“Today marks a special day and a new beginning. Every ending leads to a fresh start. As my journey as an IPL player concludes, I embark on exploring the game in various leagues. I extend my thanks to all franchises for the cherished memories and connections, and especially to the @IPL and @BCCI for their support. I’m eager to embrace the future,” Ashwin shared 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…
— Ashwin (@ashwinravi99) August 27, 2025
CSK acquired Ashwin at the 2025 mega auction for Rs 97.5 million. During IPL 2025, he played nine matches for CSK, taking seven wickets with an economy rate of 9.13.
This season was his most expensive, with an economy rate of 9.12, surpassing his previous high of 8.49.
Ashwin ranks as the fifth-highest wicket-taker in IPL history, with 201 wickets in 239 games at an average of 30.94. Before rejoining CSK in 2025, he played for Rising Pune Supergiant, Kings XI Punjab (now Punjab Kings), Delhi Capitals, and Rajasthan Royals.
Last year, Ashwin retired from Test cricket during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, and he surprised the cricket world by retiring from international cricket after the third Test draw in Brisbane.
In 106 Tests for India, the esteemed all-rounder claimed 537 wickets at an average of 24.00, with a best of 7/59. He recorded 37 five-wicket hauls and eight ten-wicket match hauls in his Test career.
He ranks eighth overall in Test wickets and second for India, behind Anil Kumble (619 wickets). Ashwin also has the second-most five-wicket hauls in Tests, following Sri Lanka’s Muttiah Muralitharan (67).
With the bat, Ashwin scored 3,503 runs at an average of 25.75, achieving six centuries and 14 fifties in 151 innings, with a top score of 124.
In 116 ODIs, Ashwin took 156 wickets at an average of 33.20, with best figures of 4/25. He also scored 707 runs at an average of 16.44, including a fifty, scoring 65 in 63 innings. He is India’s 13th-highest wicket-taker in ODIs. Across all formats, Ashwin took 765 wickets in 287 matches, making him India’s second-highest wicket-taker after Anil Kumble (953 wickets).
Ashwin was a vital part of the Indian team that won the 2011 ICC Cricket World Cup and the 2013 ICC Champions Trophy.
