R Ashwin retires from IPL after 16 years

Indian cricketer Ravichandran Ashwin has announced his retirement from the Indian Premier League(IPL). The 38-year-old confirmed the decision on Wednesday through a post on social media, bringing an end to his 16-year-long journey in the tournament. Ashwin wrote, “Special day and hence a special beginning. 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. Would like to thank all the franchisees for all the wonderful memories and relationships over the years, and most importantly, the IPL and the BCCI for what they have given me until now. Look forward to enjoying and making the most of what’s ahead of me,” 

The off-spinner made his IPL debut in 2009 with Chennai Super Kings. Over the years, he played 221 matches, taking 187 wickets rate of 7.20. Ashwin also contributed with the bat, scoring 833 runs, including a fifty. He represented five teams in total: Chennai Super Kings, Rising Pune Super Giants, Punjab Kings, Delhi Capitals, and Rajasthan Royals. Ashwin was an important member of the Chennai Super Kings’ title wins in 2010 and 2011. One of his most remembered moments came in the 2011 final when he dismissed Chris Gayle, helping CSK lift the trophy. He was also part of the team’s Champions League victories. In 2025, he returned to CSK for 9.75 crore, but managed only seven wickets in nine matches, making it a tough season.

He had already retired from International cricket in December 2024 after becoming India’s second-highest wicket-taker in Test cricket with 537 wickets, only behind Anil Kumble.

Ashwin’s Future in Overseas Leagues

By stepping away from the IPL, Ashwin is now free to play in overseas T20 Leagues, as per BCCI rules. Several Indian Players, including Yuvraj Singh, Robin Uthappa, Ambati Rayudu, Dinesh Karthik, and Shikhar Dhawan, have also moved to foreign leagues after retiring from Indian cricket. Ashwin said he is looking forward to exploring such opportunities in the next stage of his career.

Ashwin leaves the IPL as one of the most successful spinners in the league’s history. From his early years with MS Dhoni’s Chennai Super Kings to captaining Punjab Kings and later becoming a senior figure at Delhi and Rajasthan, his presence was felt across many teams. His retirement marks an end to IPL legacy but now has also opened new doors for him in the overseas leagues.