Ravichandran Ashwin has drawn curtains on his long IPL journey. The veteran spinner, who made his debut in 2009, has now decided to walk away from the Indian Premier League.
In his announcement, Ashwin said that every end brings a new beginning, and hinted that his next chapter could be outside India. He last featured for his hometown franchise Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in the 2025 season.
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With Ashwin's retirement from Indian cricket, fans are left wondering if the star spinner will join foreign T20 leagues or step into a commentary role.
Ashwin retires from IPL after 16 seasons
Ashwin’s IPL story started with the Chennai Super Kings back in 2009. Over the years, he went on to play for five franchises, becoming one of the most reliable off-spinners in the competition's history.
He finished with 187 wickets in 221 matches, the fifth-highest in IPL history. At 38, however, the all-rounder felt the time was right to close this chapter.
He said that every ending leads to a new beginning. He hinted that while his IPL journey has stopped, his cricketing journey is not done yet.
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He called it a “special day” and thanked all the franchises, the IPL, and the BCCI for shaping his career.
Special day and hence a special beginning.
— Ashwin 🇮🇳 (@ashwinravi99) August 27, 2025
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…
What is R Ashwin's legacy in IPL?
Ashwin first came into the IPL in 2009 with the Chennai Super Kings. Under MS Dhoni, he became one of CSK’s main bowlers and played a vital role in their 2010 and 2011 title wins.
Over 16 seasons, he played for five different teams: CSK, Rising Pune Supergiants, Punjab Kings (PBKS), Delhi Capitals (DC) and Rajasthan Royals (RR).
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Apart from his bowling numbers, Ashwin also added 833 runs with the bat, proving useful down the order.
In the 2025 season, he once again wore the CSK yellow, but his campaign was not the best. He managed only seven wickets from nine games, perhaps making his decision to move away easier.
Can R Ashwin play in foreign T20 leagues now?
Yes. With his retirement from both international cricket (in December 2024) and now the IPL, Ashwin becomes eligible to join overseas leagues.
BCCI rules do not allow Indian players to feature in foreign T20 competitions while still actively playing in India. But since Ashwin has now officially hung up his boots from both internationals and the IPL, he can sign up to play abroad.
Possible destinations could be:
- Big Bash League (BBL)
- SA20
- Caribbean Premier League (CPL)
Could Ashwin move into commentary next?
Another path that looks open is media and coaching. Ashwin has always been admired for his ability to read the game.
Supporters already enjoy his analysis on his YouTube channels: Ashwin's main channel (Tamil and English) and Ash Ki Baat (Hindi), where he talks about cricket in an easy-to-understand but very insightful way. With that kind of knowledge, it won’t be surprising if he takes up commentary.
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Whether it is playing in the foreign leagues or taking up a mic in the commentary box, Ashwin’s future will still be connected with the sport he loves.