A champion spinner,a warrior on the field,a team player,an all-rounder of the game.Opening bowler in a T20 game. Always remembered as a class player .
Here are some states of his legendary career
1. From Debut to Dynasty : The Beginning (2009–2015)
Ravichandran Ashwin entered the Indian Premier League with Chennai Super Kings (CSK) as a local player in 2008, making his debut in 2009 . Over eight seasons (2009–2015), he evolved into a crucial figure in CSK’s formidable spin unit.
Champion spinner : In 2010, Ashwin took 13 wickets, helping CSK claim their first IPL title and their debut Champions League T20 triumph. His performances earned him the Player of the Series award in that Champions League campaign .
Key to back-to-back glory: During the 2011 IPL, he dismissed 20 batsmen, ranking fourth overall in wicket-takers and cementing CSK’s second consecutive title .
Champions League success again: He celebrated another CLT20 title in 2014, reinforcing his clutch performances on the biggest stages .
In all, over 97 matches for CSK in those eight seasons, he claimed 90 wickets, a testament to his consistency .
2.The journeyman spinner: Exploring Other Franchises (2016–2024)
As CSK and Rajasthan Royals faced suspensions, Ashwin ventured beyond his home team:
2016: Represented Rising Pune Supergiant during CSK’s forced hiatus .
2017: Sat out due to a sports hernia, a rare break in an otherwise uninterrupted presence .
2018-19: Signed by Kings XI Punjab (now Punjab Kings), he was later entrusted with captaincy in 2018. It was during this period that his “mankading” run-out of Jos Buttler ignited intense debate .
2020: Traded to Delhi Capitals, where he served as a senior guiding figure, bringing vast experience to their spin attack .
2022 onwards: Moved to Rajasthan Royals, where his game evolved—notably, he employed unorthodox tactics like retiring out as a pinch-hitter .
From 2010 through 2024, Ashwin was among IPL’s top five wicket-takers, reaching 171 wickets before IPL 2024 .
3. Finale at CSK and Final Stats (2025)
In the IPL 2025 mega auction, CSK reacquired Ashwin for ₹9.75 crores, bringing him back in yellow after a decade .
Final season: He played his last IPL match for CSK in May 2025 at Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi, marking the end of a storied run .
Matches: 221 (or 220 as some outlets report) .
Wickets: 187 at an average of approximately 30.22–30.23, with best innings figures of 4/34 and an economy around 7.2 .
Batting: Scored 833 runs, including a single fifty with a top score of 50, averaging roughly 13.02 .
Legacy position: Ranked as the fifth-highest wicket-taker in IPL history .
4. The farewell : Retirement Announcement (August 27, 2025)
On August 27, 2025, R. Ashwin posted a heartfelt retirement note on social media (X), signaling the end of his IPL chapter:
“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. Look forward to enjoying and making the most of what’s ahead of me.”
He thanked all franchises, the IPL, and the BCCI for the memories forged over his 16–17 years in the league .
Notably, his retirement statement deliberately omitted any mention of MS Dhoni or CSK, even though both played pivotal roles in his IPL story—an unusual twist to his otherwise warm farewell .
5. The Broader Significance
End of an IPL era: After 16–17 seasons across multiple teams, Ashwin’s exit marks the close of one of the league’s most consistent and intelligent spin careers .
Opening new chapters: Though retiring from IPL, he remains open to other franchise leagues globally, inviting cricket fans to anticipate his T20 exploits elsewhere .
Emotional note: While stoic, his words carried a sense of fulfillment and optimism—that this ending is a fresh beginning .
6. Career in Retrospect: Numbers That Shine
Category statistics
IPL Matches Played 220–221
IPL Wickets 187
IPL Average (Bowling) ≈ 30.22–30.23
IPL Economy Rate ≈ 7.2
Best Bowling Figures 4/34
IPL Batting Runs 833
IPL Batting Average ≈ 13.02
Highest Score (IPL) 50 (one fifty)
Titles Won with CSK 2010, 2011 (IPL) + CLT20 (2010, 2014)
IPL Auction Price (2025) ₹9.75 crore
All-time IPL Wicket Rank 5th highest wicket-taker
7. Thank you legend
Ashwin’s IPL journey mirrors the evolution of the league itself: a homegrown talent rising with CSK, branching out during disruption, then returning to close on a high note. His mix of crafty off-spin, cricketing intelligence, and tactical quirks (like retiring out) made him an icon of innovation in T20s.
Even though he chose not to name CSK or Dhoni in his farewell, those chapters are forever etched in IPL lore. As he steps into the next phase—perhaps exploring global T20 circuits—fans remain hopeful of reliving his genius in different colors.