Chennai: In what could mark the end of a homecoming chapter, senior Indian spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has reportedly asked to be released from the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) ahead of the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) season. According to a Cricbuzz report, Ashwin has also stepped down from his role as Director of the CSK Academy, signaling a deeper disengagement from the franchise that once shaped his early T20 career.
Ashwin, who was acquired by CSK for ₹9.75 crore in the last IPL auction after not being retained by Rajasthan Royals, made a much-publicized return to the Yellow Army after nearly a decade. His comeback was seen as an emotional and strategic move — with many speculating that Ashwin intended to finish his IPL journey with the team he first debuted with in 2009.
However, the 2025 season didn’t go as expected for the experienced off-spinner. Featuring in just nine matches, Ashwin could manage only seven wickets and was often overshadowed by younger spin options. Sources close to the development suggest that the performance dip, combined with differences in team dynamics and vision, may have prompted the request for release.
Ashwin had been a cornerstone of CSK in the early years, playing under MS Dhoni from 2009 to 2015, and contributing significantly to the franchise's early IPL triumphs. His return after stints with Punjab Kings, Delhi Capitals, and Rajasthan Royals was seen as a homecoming filled with nostalgia but the reality on the ground appears to have been more complex.
With Ashwin now formally seeking an exit and relinquishing his developmental role at the CSK Academy, it remains to be seen which direction his IPL future heads. Whether another team picks him in the next auction or whether this signals a winding down of his T20 career is still unclear.
For CSK, this development might open doors to reshuffle their spin attack and team management ahead of a transitional phase post the MS Dhoni era. The franchise has yet to issue an official statement on Ashwin's reported departure.