Ravichandran Ashwin, one of India’s finest spinners and a true stalwart of modern cricket, has brought down the curtains on his illustrious Indian Premier League career. The 38-year-old, who represented Chennai Super Kings in the IPL 2025 and played nine matches this season, announced his retirement from the tournament on Wednesday, August 27. Over the years, Ashwin became a defining presence in the league, not just as a wicket-taker but also as a thinker of the game, and his contribution to the IPL remains unforgettable.
Sharing the news with fans on X, Ravichandran Ashwin wrote, “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. Look forward to enjoying and making the most of what’s ahead of me #cricketforlife.”
https://x.com/ashwinravi99/status/1960566235873337576
Ashwin’s IPL journey began back in 2009 during the second season of the tournament and over the next 16 years, he became one of its most consistent performers. He featured in 221 matches, representing five different teams — Chennai Super Kings, Rising Pune Super Giants, Punjab Kings, Delhi Capitals and Rajasthan Royals. In these appearances, he picked up 187 wickets, making him the fifth highest wicket-taker in the history of the tournament, with only Yuzvendra Chahal, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Sunil Narine and Piyush Chawla ahead of him. Along with his bowling, he also contributed 833 runs with the bat, averaging 13.01.
Ashwin’s durability is reflected in his appearances, as he stands as the seventh most capped player in the league. His leadership skills were also tested when he captained Punjab Kings in 28 matches between 2018 and 2019, managing to secure 12 victories during his tenure.
The Chennai-born spinner enjoyed some of his greatest moments under MS Dhoni’s leadership at CSK where he won back-to-back IPL titles in 2010 and 2011. He was also part of six runner-up finishes with three different teams, a testament to his consistency across franchises. In addition to his two IPL trophies, Ashwin also lifted two Champions League T20 titles with CSK, further solidifying his legacy with the franchise.
Ashwin’s departure marks the end of an era in the IPL. While his journey in the league has ended, his passion for the sport continues, as he now looks forward to exploring cricket across different leagues around the world.
