Ravichandran Ashwin Announces Shock IPL Retirement, Hints at Overseas T20 Leagues

Chennai — Veteran off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has confirmed his retirement from the Indian Premier League after a decorated 15-season run.

Ravichandran Ashwin on Tuesday announced via X (formerly Twitter) that his time as an IPL cricketer has come to a close. The 38-year-old, who last represented his hometown franchise Chennai Super Kings (CSK), framed the decision as both an ending and a fresh beginning: “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.”

Gratitude and a New Direction

Ashwin thanked every franchise he represented — from CSK to Rising Pune Supergiant, Punjab Kings, Delhi Capitals and Rajasthan Royals — and conveyed appreciation to the @IPL and @BCCI for the opportunities the league gave him. His message suggested a clear next step: exploring overseas T20 leagues where his experience and cricketing intellect are likely to be in demand.

Family Note

The announcement also brought an emotional response from home. His wife, Prithi Narayanan, posted: “Can’t wait to see you back home for the summer evenings. You’ve given it everything, and we are proud.” The short note underscored the personal side of a public milestone.

Career at a Glance

Metric	Value
Matches	221
Wickets	187
Economy Rate	7.20
Best Bowling	4/34
Titles (with CSK)	2 (2010, 2011)

Legacy: The Thinking Cricketer

Ashwin’s IPL legacy is not measured only in wickets or averages. His reputation as a “thinking cricketer” — willing to innovate with field settings, bowling angles and tactics — helped redefine the spinner’s role in T20 cricket. From bold captaincy experiments to sparking debate with controversial moments, Ashwin always kept the conversation about strategy alive.

“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.” — Ravichandran Ashwin

What Comes Next

While his IPL chapter has ended, Ashwin’s hint at playing in overseas competitions suggests possible stints in leagues such as the Big Bash, The Hundred, or emerging T20 tournaments worldwide. For Indian fans, his IPL farewell marks the end of an era — but the start of a new, global chapter for one of the format’s most cerebral practitioners.