Speculation is rife regarding the future of veteran Indian off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin with the Chennai Super Kings (CSK). While there's no official word yet, sources suggest that Ashwin may part ways with the franchise ahead of the next IPL season.
Ashwin, who also serves as the Director of Operations at the CSK Academy, might relinquish this position to avoid any conflict of interest if he joins another franchise. Cricbuzz reports that Ashwin has communicated his decision to the CSK management, although the reasons remain unclear. These developments follow meetings between top CSK officials and players, including MS Dhoni and Ruturaj Gaikwad.
The 38-year-old, who retired from international cricket last year, was bought by CSK for INR 9.75 crore in 2025, marking a return to the franchise where he began his IPL journey. He previously played for CSK from 2009 to 2015, contributing to their title wins in 2010 and 2011. Between his stints at CSK, Ashwin represented Delhi Capitals, Punjab Kings, and Rajasthan Royals.
However, Ashwin's performance in the recent season was underwhelming. He played nine matches, picking up only seven wickets with an economy rate of 9.13. With the bat, he didn't make significant contributions.
An IPL source stated that it's still early to decide on any player's future, as the retention deadline is yet to be announced. Discussions are ongoing with players, and Ashwin, being a senior player, is part of these conversations to understand his role in the team.
Ashwin's IPL career spans from 2009, with 187 wickets in 220 matches at an economy rate of 7.29, and 833 runs at a strike rate of 118. His experience and all-round capabilities make him a valuable asset. If he does leave CSK, it remains to be seen whether he will be traded or enter the auction pool.
Speculation is also circulating about Sanju Samson potentially joining CSK from Rajasthan Royals. The team is reportedly planning improvements after a disappointing previous season.
Ashwin retired from international cricket in December 2024, after claiming 765 wickets across all formats. He played 106 Test matches, 116 ODIs, and 65 T20s for India. He is India's second-highest wicket-taker in Test cricket, with 537 wickets.
