Ravichandran Ashwin Calls Time on His IPL Journey 🏏
Indian cricket and the Indian Premier League (IPL) witnessed an emotional moment on 20th August 2025 as legendary Indian off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin officially announced his retirement from the IPL. After 16 glorious seasons, 221 matches, and 187 wickets, Ashwin bids farewell to one of the world’s biggest cricketing stages.
Known for his carrom ball, tactical brilliance, and ability to outfox world-class batters, Ashwin's IPL career has been a rollercoaster of achievements, controversies, and unforgettable moments.
📢 Ashwin’s Official Statement on Retirement ✍️
Sharing his heartfelt note on social media On X, Ashwin wrote:
“Special day and hence a special beginning. They say every ending has 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.”
Ashwin thanked the BCCI, the IPL, and every franchise he represented:
“Would like to thank all the franchises for the wonderful memories and relationships over the years and most importantly the IPL and the BCCI for what they have given me until now.”
🏏 Ravichandran Ashwin’s IPL Journey — From Debut to Farewell 🌟
Ashwin’s IPL career began in 2009 with the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) under MS Dhoni’s captaincy. Over the years, he played for multiple franchises, captained teams, and became one of the tournament’s most successful off-spinners.
📌 Teams Ashwin Represented in IPL
- Chennai Super Kings (CSK) — 2009 to 2015, and again in 2025
- Rising Pune Supergiant (RPS) — 2016 & 2017
- Kings XI Punjab (KXIP) — 2018 & 2019
- Delhi Capitals (DC) — 2020 & 2021
- Rajasthan Royals (RR) — 2022 to 2024
📊 Ravichandran Ashwin IPL Stats & Records 🔥
| Category | Stats |
|---|---|
| IPL Matches | 221 |
| Wickets | 187 |
| Economy Rate | 7.20 |
| Best Bowling | 4/34 |
| Runs Scored | 833 |
| 50s Scored | 1 |
| IPL Titles Won | 2 (2010, 2011) |
| Champions League | 30 wickets in 20 matches |
🏆 Iconic IPL Moments of Ravichandran Ashwin 🌟
1️⃣ Back-to-Back Titles with CSK (2010 & 2011) 🏆
Ashwin was instrumental in CSK’s title-winning campaigns, taking key wickets in crunch matches and earning Dhoni’s trust to bowl in powerplays and finals.
2️⃣ Dismissing Chris Gayle in the 2011 IPL Final 🔥
In the IPL 2011 Final against Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB), Ashwin dismissed the dangerous Chris Gayle early, setting up CSK’s dominant win.
3️⃣ The ‘Mankading’ Controversy with Jos Buttler 😱
While leading Kings XI Punjab in 2019, Ashwin dismissed Jos Buttler via the Mankad rule. The incident sparked a global debate on the Spirit of Cricket.
4️⃣ Tactical ‘Retired Out’ Innovation 🧠
In IPL 2022, playing for Rajasthan Royals, Ashwin became the first player in IPL history to be tactically retired out — a move applauded by cricketing strategists worldwide.
5️⃣ Return to CSK in 2025 Auction 🟡
In a full-circle moment, CSK bought back Ashwin for ₹9.75 crore. However, his final season was quiet, with just 7 wickets in 9 matches, and CSK finished last.
🎯 Ashwin’s Impact on IPL & Modern Off-Spin Bowling 🌀
Ashwin changed the way spinners are used in T20 cricket:
- Introduced carrom balls and reverse carroms.
- Bowled in powerplays, a rarity for off-spinners.
- Trusted in high-pressure knockout matches.
- Inspired a new generation of mystery spinners worldwide.
📺 Where to Watch IPL Legends in Global T20 Leagues 🌍
While Ashwin has retired from the IPL, he hinted at exploring global T20 leagues:
- Major League Cricket (USA) 🇺🇸
- Big Bash League (BBL) 🇦🇺
- Caribbean Premier League (CPL) 🌴
- The Hundred 🏏
Fans can expect to see Ashwin’s wizardry in these tournaments soon.
🔮 What’s Next for Ravichandran Ashwin? 🚀
With his IPL chapter closed, Ashwin is likely to:
- Join international franchise leagues.
- Work as a mentor or spin consultant.
- Contribute as a cricket analyst and commentator.
- Build his YouTube cricket channel further, where he discusses spin bowling and match analysis.
🌐 Live Fan Reactions & Tributes ❤️
Cricket Twitter exploded with emotional messages after Ashwin’s announcement:
- “End of an era! Thank you for the memories, Ash!”
- “Carrom ball king retires from IPL. Legend forever.”
- “IPL won’t be the same without Ravi Ashwin!”
📌 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) ❓
Q1. How many IPL wickets does Ravichandran Ashwin have?
A: Ashwin has 187 IPL wickets in 221 matches, making him the 5th-highest wicket-taker in IPL history.
Q2. Which franchises did Ashwin play for?
A: CSK, Rising Pune Supergiant, Kings XI Punjab, Delhi Capitals, Rajasthan Royals.
Q3. Did Ashwin win IPL titles?
A: Yes, two titles with CSK in 2010 and 2011.
Q4. What’s next for Ashwin after IPL?
A: He plans to explore international T20 leagues and possibly take up mentorship roles.
🏁 Final Words — End of an Era, Start of a New Journey 🌟
Ravichandran Ashwin’s IPL retirement marks the end of a golden chapter in T20 cricket history. With 16 seasons, 187 wickets, and memorable innovations, Ashwin’s impact goes beyond numbers — he redefined spin bowling in T20 cricket.
Fans will miss watching him in IPL, but his next adventures in global leagues promise more magic, more carrom balls, and plenty of cricketing genius.