The bond between Ravichandran Ashwin and Chennai Super Kings might be nearing its end. While nothing is official yet, recent happenings in the CSK camp suggest that one of India’s greatest red-ball match-winners could be parting ways with his home franchise.
The exact reason for this potential split isn’t clear, but sources indicate that the veteran off-spinner has already made up his mind and informed the franchise of his decision. Whether this move is linked to CSK’s future plans is uncertain. However, as Cricbuzz reported, senior CSK figures — including current captain Ruturaj Gaikwad and former skipper MS Dhoni — have been holding meetings in Chennai over the past few days, likely discussing strategies for the upcoming season.
One change that appears almost certain is Ashwin stepping down as the Director of Operations at the CSK Academy — a role he has held for the past year. If he were to sign with another franchise, continuing in this position could create a conflict of interest, something Ashwin reportedly wants to avoid.
Ashwin’s numbers speak for themselves: 221 IPL matches, 187 wickets at an economy rate of 7.29, and 833 runs at a strike rate of 118. With such credentials, there’s little doubt he’ll attract plenty of interest from other teams. The real question is whether he’ll be traded or head into the auction. Last season, he featured in nine matches for CSK.
CSK brought Ashwin back in 2024 for ₹9.75 crore, marking his return after nine years. Between 2016 and 2024, he played for Delhi Capitals, Punjab Kings, and Rajasthan Royals. His IPL journey began with CSK in 2008, debuting the following year and spending his first eight seasons under MS Dhoni’s leadership.
Interestingly, this news comes just a day after reports surfaced that Sanju Samson has asked Rajasthan Royals to release him.
When approached for comment, CSK officials did not respond, while Ashwin remained unavailable.