Chennai Super Kings (CSK) captain Ruturaj Gaikwad responded to Ravichandran Ashwin’s retirement from the Indian Premier League (IPL) on Thursday, August 28. The 28-year-old expressed that it was an honour to have shared the dressing room with the former India off-spinner.
Gaikwad added that he had admired Ashwin play for the five-time IPL champions during his early cricketing years. He shared his thoughts on his Instagram story:
“To watching you play for the OG CSK and then getting to play alongside in yellow, privilged to share the dressing room with you ash anna.”
Ashwin made his comeback to CSK in IPL 2025 after a decade, with the franchise securing him for ₹9.75 crore at the November 2024 mega auction. Gaikwad led the team with Ashwin in the first five matches of the season. However, Ashwin was ruled out of the tournament following the game against Punjab Kings in Dharamshala.
MS Dhoni, the five-time IPL-winning captain, was reinstated as captain, but the change did little to improve the team’s performance, and CSK ended the season at the bottom of the points table.
Ravichandran Ashwin Eyes Overseas Leagues After IPL Exit
Ravichandran Ashwin’s retirement from the IPL opens the door for him to participate in overseas T20 leagues. Across 221 IPL matches, he claimed 187 wickets with an economy rate of 7.20. The 38-year-old featured in the CSK squads that won the title in 2010 and 2011 and was part of Delhi Capitals and Rajasthan Royals teams that finished as runners-up in 2020 and 2022, respectively.
Ashwin’s vast experience in T20 cricket, combined with his unconventional approach, makes him an attractive prospect for leagues worldwide. His innovation shone through when he became the first IPL player to retire out, helping RR beat Lucknow Super Giants in 2022.
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