Ravichandran Ashwin Retires from IPL, Eyes Overseas T20 Leagues

New Delhi: Veteran India off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin on Wednesday announced his retirement from the Indian Premier League (IPL), bringing the curtains down on a 16-year-long association with the tournament. The 37-year-old revealed his decision through a heartfelt post on his official ‘X’ account, stating that he now intends to explore opportunities in overseas T20 leagues.

“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,” Ashwin wrote.

He also extended gratitude to the franchises he represented over the years, along with the IPL and BCCI. “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,” he added.

Ashwin leaves behind a rich legacy in the league, finishing as the fifth-highest wicket-taker in IPL history with 187 wickets in 221 matches at an economy rate of 7.2. He began and concluded his IPL career with Chennai Super Kings (CSK), his home franchise, where he also played a crucial role in their title triumphs in 2010 and 2011.

In IPL 2025, Ashwin endured a modest run with CSK, picking only seven wickets in nine matches at an economy of 9.13. He was eventually benched due to lack of form as the team endured a bottom-place finish.

Across his IPL journey, Ashwin also turned out for Rising Pune Supergiant, Delhi Capitals, Rajasthan Royals, and captained Kings XI Punjab (now Punjab Kings). Apart from his bowling exploits, he scored 833 runs with the bat, including a fifty, at a strike rate of 118.

The off-spinner had already bid farewell to international cricket in December 2024 after the Brisbane Test against Australia in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.

With IPL now behind him, Ashwin is expected to pursue stints in global franchise leagues, including the Big Bash League (BBL) in Australia, SA20 in South Africa, ILT20 in the UAE, The Hundred in England, and the CPL in the West Indies. Sources indicate that conversations with stakeholders are already underway.

Ashwin’s exit from the IPL follows that of his long-time Tamil Nadu and India teammate Dinesh Karthik, who retired in June 2024 and later joined Paarl Royals in the SA20.