Ravichandran Ashwin's second stint with the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) may be coming to an end, with reports suggesting that the veteran off-spinner has decided to part ways with the franchise ahead of the next IPL season. Ashwin, who returned to CSK in the 2025 season after a gap of several years, is also expected to relinquish his role as the Director of Operations at the CSK Academy.

According to a report in Cricbuzz, Ashwin has already communicated his decision to the CSK management. However, the exact reasons behind this separation remain unclear. The development comes amid recent meetings between top CSK officials and players, including current captain Ruturaj Gaikwad and former skipper MS Dhoni.

Ashwin's return to CSK in the IPL 2025 season was highly anticipated, as he had previously spent six seasons with the franchise from 2009 to 2015. During his initial stint, he was an integral part of the team, contributing with both bat and ball. However, after 2015, he represented other franchises such as Delhi Capitals, Punjab Kings, and Rajasthan Royals.

In the IPL 2025 season, Ashwin's performance was underwhelming, as he managed to take only seven wickets in nine matches. He was also utilized in the powerplay, but he leaked runs, which led to him being benched for a few games. Moreover, he didn't make any significant contributions with the bat. After the season ended, Ashwin admitted that he needed to improve his performance in the powerplay.

The decision to leave CSK may also be influenced by his role as the Director of Operations at the CSK Academy. If Ashwin joins another franchise, continuing in his role at the academy could present a conflict of interest. Therefore, he is keen to avoid such a situation and has decided to leave the role.

It remains to be seen whether Ashwin will be traded to another franchise or whether he will enter the auction pool for the upcoming season. With his extensive experience and proven track record in the IPL, he is expected to attract interest from other teams. Throughout his IPL career, Ashwin has taken 187 wickets from 220 matches at an economy rate of 7.29 and has also scored 833 runs at a strike rate of 118.

The news of Ashwin's departure comes after reports of Sanju Samson requesting a release from Rajasthan Royals. This development marks a significant change in CSK's roster, and the team will need to reconfigure their spin bowling department following his departure. For the first time in their history, CSK finished at the bottom of the points table in the IPL 2025 season.