Veteran Indian off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has announced his retirement from the Indian Premier League (IPL), concluding a 16-year association with the tournament. This decision comes shortly after his retirement from international cricket in December of last year.
Ashwin made the announcement via a social media post, stating, "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". He thanked all the franchises, the IPL, and the BCCI for the wonderful memories and relationships he had developed over the years.
The 38-year-old explained his decision, citing the demanding schedule of the IPL and a desire to pursue joy in the game. He admitted that managing the travel, matches, and recovery periods had become increasingly difficult with age. Speaking on his YouTube channel "Ash ki Baat", Ashwin said he wanted to move on with clarity and is now "running after joy in the game". He is looking to live life on his own terms and pursue his happiness, balancing his family's needs while playing cricket and helping others.
Ashwin hinted at exploring opportunities in overseas leagues such as The Hundred and SA20. According to a report in Telegraph Sport, Ashwin is keen to participate in next year's The Hundred competition in England, which would make him the first Indian male player to feature in the event. With Ashwin no longer a BCCI-contracted player, he is unlikely to face any issues participating in The Hundred. He confirmed that he has registered for another league but did not disclose the details. Ashwin said he feels he can play two or three leagues consecutively in a year. He added that playing around the world outside India is fun because nobody knows who you are, allowing him to enjoy the game thoroughly and bowl without pressure.
Over his IPL career, Ashwin played 221 matches and took 187 wickets at an economy of 7.20. He also contributed 833 runs with the bat. Ashwin represented Chennai Super Kings, Rising Pune Supergiant, Punjab Kings, Delhi Capitals, and Rajasthan Royals. He was an integral member of CSK's title-winning campaigns in 2010 and 2011.
Ashwin revealed that he is also open to coaching in the future, potentially even in the Italy Premier League. He expressed interest in guiding and mentoring players and revealed he had discussions about a player-coach role during his time with Rajasthan Royals. Ashwin gained coaching experience in the Tamil Nadu Premier League, where he served as a captain-cum-coach, which gave him an opportunity to learn. He believes that coaching could be a natural progression and that the game is preparing him for it. Ashwin is available to take up coaching roles for franchises and said that he had tried to pitch a player-plus-coach role for himself in the IPL, but it did not work.
Ashwin's retirement from the IPL marks the end of an era, but also the beginning of a new chapter where he can explore opportunities in other leagues and potentially transition into coaching.
