Ravichandran Ashwin Reflects on His Final IPL Season with CSK
During the IPL 2026 season, Ravichandran Ashwin has been vocal about his views on various aspects of the tournament. However, in a particularly emotional moment, the former India spinner shared an insightful reflection on his final stint with the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) during the 2025 season. He revealed how challenging it was to play his last season in yellow, highlighting the emotional toll it took on him.
Ashwin had previously announced his retirement from international cricket in December 2024 during India’s tour of Australia. Despite this, he continued to play in the Indian Premier League and made a return to CSK. Unfortunately, the 2025 season did not go as planned for both the team and the spinner. CSK ended up at the bottom of the table with only four wins in 14 games. Ashwin himself had a forgettable season, taking just seven wickets in nine matches while maintaining an economy rate of 9.12.
A Mentally Disturbing Season
In an episode of his YouTube channel, “Ash Ki Baat,” Ashwin opened up about how the 2025 season affected him personally. He stated:
“I’d have played another season but emotionally it did not have the bandwidth. It was mentally disturbing, quite painful. I don’t want to get there.”
The former India spinner also admitted that his decision to retire may have indirectly benefited CSK. He explained:
“Me retiring would’ve spared them (CSK) the headache of whether to release or retain me. Also, they had an additional Rs 10 crore for the auction (with him being retired) – which could’ve been spent well to strengthen their squad.”
Ashwin Comments on CSK’s Current Struggles
Ashwin has also weighed in on CSK’s current struggles in the 2026 season. The team suffered their third consecutive loss on Sunday when they chased 251 against RCB but were all out for 207 after a collapse at the top.
Ashwin expressed his disappointment, saying:
“I am a little disappointed today. I had high expectations. I picked RCB today but CSK showed improvement in their last game. They way RCB played today, they’ve issued a warning to other teams.”
He did not hold back in commenting on CSK’s bowling plans, questioning their strategy of pushing their bowlers to bowl wide yorkers. He also noted that the team does not have many options to find a solution at the moment.
Looking Ahead for CSK
Ashwin concluded by acknowledging the challenges CSK faces:
“I know they don’t have enough options. So, I don’t have any answer. They have young guys, they need to change the atmosphere and I am wondering, how will they do that?”
Key Takeaways from Ashwin’s Reflections
- Emotional Impact: Ashwin’s final season with CSK was emotionally taxing, leading to his decision to retire.
- Strategic Concerns: He raised concerns about CSK’s bowling strategies and lack of options.
- Team Dynamics: Ashwin emphasized the need for CSK to change their atmosphere and find new solutions.
As the IPL 2026 season continues, fans and analysts alike are watching closely to see if CSK can turn their fortunes around. Ashwin’s insights provide a valuable perspective on the challenges the team is facing and the path forward.
