Former India off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has shared the emotional reasons behind his retirement from the Indian Premier League (IPL).
Speaking on his YouTube channel, Ashwin described his final season with Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in 2025 as “mentally disturbing” and “painful.”
A Challenging Return to CSK
Ashwin returned to his home franchise, CSK, in 2025 after a decade of playing for other teams. However, the season turned out to be a disappointing experience. He revealed that he lacked the “emotional bandwidth” to continue playing while managing other pressures.
During that season, Ashwin played only nine out of 14 matches. He stated that he sought clarity on his role but felt underused by the team management. He finished the 2025 edition with seven wickets and an economy rate of 9.12.
Reasons for Quitting
The veteran spinner explained that his decision to retire was partly selfless. By stepping away before the 2026 season, he saved the CSK management from the difficult choice of whether to retain or release him. His retirement also freed up a ₹10 crore purse for the franchise to use in the mini-auction.
“I could have played more, but I quit because emotionally, I just did not have the bandwidth,” Ashwin said. He added that he wanted to finish his career in his hometown, Chennai, where it all began.
Criticism of Current Team Tactics
Ashwin also voiced his frustration regarding CSK’s current performance in the 2026 season. After watching the team lose three consecutive matches, he criticized their bowling plans and the handling of young players.
He specifically questioned the decision to make tall pacers bowl wide yorkers, which he believes does not suit their natural strengths.
