Cricketer-turned-expert Sanjay Bangar feels five-time Indian Premier League (IPL) champions Chennai Super Kings (CSK) might contemplate releasing spin-bowling all-rounder Ravichandran Ashwin for the next IPL season. After their loss against Punjab Kings (PBKS) on April 30, CSK became the first team to be eliminated from this season of IPL.
Ashwin, who featured in seven matches for CSK, ended up picking just five wickets at an economy rate of 9 runs per over. The off-spinner, who hoped for a happy homecoming at the franchise where he first made a name for himself, failed to make an impact this time. The 38-year-old, who was bought for 9.75 crores in the mega auction, surprisingly was not also effective at the M.A. Chidambaram Stadium in Chepauk.
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“Whether they retain Ashwin or not is going to be another big question because that's where the money is locked in. If they want to free up their purse a little bit, in the knowledge that they might not want to use Ashwin as much as they have used in this particular season. So, probably out of those big-ticket players, those are the two players (Ashwin and Pathirana) that they might just think of whether they want to keep them or maybe find a replacement for them,” said Bangar on Star Sports.
End of the road of R Ashwin in IPL?
While it is too early to write off Ravi Ashwin, indeed, the off-spinner was not potent enough on even spin-friendly wickets in this IPL season. Precisely, the 38-year-old quit international cricket to focus on IPL and domestic cricket. However, with such a lackluster performance for CSK in the IPL 2025 season, the franchise might have to make some tough decisions before the IPL 2026 season.
CSK can release Ashwin or think about swapping the player ahead of the mini-auction. Or else, they might also persist with the legendary bowler for one more season.
