R Ashwin retires from IPL, to participate in global T20 leagues

Veteran India spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has officially announced his retirement from the Indian Premier League (IPL), marking the end of a remarkable 16-year career in the tournament. On Wednesday, August 27, Ashwin took to his social media to share his decision, calling it a "special beginning." His retirement brings the curtain down on a journey that saw him become one of the most respected and innovative spinners in the league's history.

In a heartfelt statement, the legendary spinner expressed his gratitude to the tournament and the franchises he has been a part of. "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. This signals his intention to transition from the IPL to participating in other T20 leagues around the world, opening a new chapter in his decorated career.

Ashwin retires as one of the most successful bowlers in the history of the IPL, leaving behind a legacy of tactical brilliance and consistent performance. He has played a total of 221 matches, taking 187 wickets, placing him as the fifth-highest wicket-taker in the tournament's history, behind only Yuzvendra Chahal, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Sunil Narine, and Piyush Chawla.

Throughout his career, he represented five different franchises: Chennai Super Kings (CSK), Rising Pune Supergiant, Punjab Kings, Delhi Capitals, and Rajasthan Royals. A key member of CSK's two title-winning campaigns in 2010 and 2011, Ashwin was also a captain for the Punjab franchise during his stint there, showcasing his leadership capabilities. With the bat, he scored 833 runs, including one crucial half-century for Rajasthan Royals, demonstrating his all-round abilities.

His final season in the IPL came in 2025, where he made a return to his home team, CSK. However, his last outing was marked by struggles, as he managed to take only 7 wickets and scored 33 runs in nine matches. The season was also marred by an off-field controversy involving his YouTube channel, which had criticized CSK's team selection.