Ravichandran Ashwin Retires from IPL After Glorious 17 Years
An Enduring Legacy in T20 Cricket Comes to a Close
In a move that marks the end of a glorious era in T20 cricket, veteran Indian off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has announced his retirement from the Indian Premier League (IPL). The announcement, made on his official social media accounts on Wednesday, August 27, 2025, brings the curtain down on a remarkable 17-year journey that saw him evolve from a young, promising spinner from Chennai to one of the most respected and tactically astute players in the league's history. Ashwin's retirement comes just months after he called time on his illustrious international career, paving the way for him to explore new avenues in global T20 leagues.
Ashwin's IPL career is a testament to longevity, reinvention, and consistent high performance. Making his debut in 2009 for the Chennai Super Kings (CSK), a franchise with which he is most synonymous, he quickly became a key cog in MS Dhoni's title-winning machine. His subtle variations, carrom ball, and uncanny ability to out-think batsmen made him a formidable force, especially in the powerplay overs. Over the years, Ashwin played for five different franchises, each time bringing his vast experience and tactical nous to the fore. He retires with an impressive tally of 187 wickets from 221 matches, placing him among the top five all-time wicket-takers in the league's history.
The Chennai Super Kings Years: A Homegrown Hero's Rise
Ravichandran Ashwin's journey with the Indian Premier League began with a team that represented his home city and his true cricketing family: the Chennai Super Kings. Signed in 2008, he had a breakthrough season in 2010, playing a crucial role in CSK's maiden title victory. Under the astute captaincy of MS Dhoni, Ashwin blossomed into a world-class T20 bowler. Dhoni’s decision to use Ashwin as a new-ball bowler to open the attack, a move that was unconventional at the time, became a masterstroke. Ashwin’s ability to keep a tight line and length, along with his deceptive variations, was instrumental in stifling opposition batsmen in the crucial powerplay overs.
He was a vital member of the CSK squad that won back-to-back IPL titles in 2010 and 2011, and also lifted the Champions League T20 trophy in both those years. During his initial stint with CSK from 2009 to 2015, he played 97 matches, taking 90 wickets at an economy rate of just 6.43. His performances were not just about taking wickets; they were about controlling the game, building pressure, and creating opportunities for others. His partnership with Suresh Raina, who often took crucial catches off his bowling, and his understanding with Dhoni behind the stumps, were a sight to behold.
Ashwin’s final season in the IPL saw him return to CSK in 2025, a homecoming that was celebrated by fans. The franchise bought him for a significant sum of Rs 9.75 crore, a testament to his continued value in the league. While the team struggled and his personal performance, with seven wickets in nine games, might not have been his career best, his presence in the dressing room and his role as a senior statesman were invaluable.
From Rising Pune Supergiant to Rajasthan Royals: A Career of Reinvention
Following his successful stint with CSK, Ashwin's career took him to various other franchises, each presenting a new challenge and a new opportunity for reinvention. In 2016, he joined the now-defunct Rising Pune Supergiant, where he played a season under Dhoni once again. He then moved to Kings XI Punjab (now Punjab Kings) in 2018, where he was entrusted with the captaincy. His tenure as captain was marked by his unconventional and aggressive on-field decisions.
Perhaps the most famous—or infamous—of these moments came in 2019 when, as captain of Punjab, he 'Mankaded' Rajasthan Royals' star batsman Jos Buttler at the non-striker's end. The dismissal, which was legal but widely debated in terms of the "spirit of cricket," created a massive controversy and became one of the most talked-about moments in IPL history. This incident encapsulated Ashwin's personality as a player who was not afraid to challenge the norms and use every available rule to his advantage.
After two seasons with Punjab, he was traded to the Delhi Capitals in 2020, where he continued to perform consistently, both with the ball and as a leader in the spin department. It was with the Rajasthan Royals from 2022 to 2024 that Ashwin truly reinvented himself as a T20 all-rounder. He not only continued to be a canny spinner but also became a valuable lower-order batsman. In 2022, he became the first player in IPL history to 'retire out' himself for tactical reasons, a move that again sparked widespread debate and showcased his innovative thinking. His batting performance, including a maiden IPL fifty, further solidified his status as a multi-dimensional player.
A Statistical Look at a Glorious Career
Ravichandran Ashwin's IPL career statistics speak for themselves. In 221 matches, he took 187 wickets at an average of 30.22 and an excellent economy rate of 7.20. His best bowling figures were 4/34. With the bat, he scored 833 runs, including one half-century, and played crucial cameos down the order. His ability to maintain a low economy rate, even on flat Indian pitches, was a testament to his skill and variations.
He finishes his career as the fifth-highest wicket-taker in the history of the IPL, a list that includes some of the biggest names in T20 cricket. His legacy, however, extends beyond the numbers. He will be remembered as a thinking cricketer, a master of his craft, and a fierce competitor who was always looking for an edge.
A New Beginning: The Explorer of Global Leagues
In his retirement announcement, Ashwin stated that his time as an IPL cricketer had come to a close, but his time as "an explorer of the game around various leagues begins today." This suggests that he is not entirely done with the game and plans to play in other T20 leagues around the world. Given his vast experience and tactical mind, he would be a valuable addition to any franchise seeking a seasoned spinner and a cricketing brain in the dressing room.
As he bids farewell to the IPL, Ravichandran Ashwin leaves behind a legacy of innovation, competitive fire, and unyielding commitment to his craft. He was a champion with the ball, a handy contributor with the bat, and a cricketing mind that shaped the game. The IPL will be a lesser place without his presence, but the memories of his glorious career will undoubtedly inspire a new generation of cricketers to follow in his footsteps
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