Ravichandran Ashwin has nudged Chennai Super Kings for a straight answer: will they use him regularly next season or would they rather let him go? People close to the discussions say the off-spinning all-rounder, signed for INR 9.75 crore at the last mega auction, is open to a transfer if that suits everyone.
The 38-year-old’s return to his home franchise in 2025 was billed as a feel-good reunion, yet he played only nine of 14 league matches – the lightest workload of his 17-season IPL career. His economy rate crept to 9.12, another personal first he would rather forget. A year out from the next auction, he simply wants to know where he stands.
The calendar doesn’t help. A full auction is due before IPL 2026, but the exact date – anything from November to February – remains up in the air. Trades can run until a week before the gavel falls, so clarity has real, financial value to players and franchises alike.
Ashwin laid out his case on his YouTube channel. “I played three years for RR,” Ashwin said on his Youtube show. “After my 1st year, I got an email from the CEO saying this is your performance, this is our expectation and we’re renewing your contract. It’s one plus one plus one – the contract renewal. After every season, it’s the responsibility of the franchise to communicate to the player if they’re retaining or releasing him.”
He continued, “With regard to news about me or Sanju – obviously a player has the right to express interest [if he wishes to be retained or no]. Every player seeks clarity. As things stand, it’s not in my hands. I’ve just asked for clarity. The situation we’re in, all the news floating around, none of it is coming from the players. Even with Sanju’s news, it’s rumours or it’s coming from the franchise’s side. I don’t know who is making this news.”
On the field, Ashwin’s numbers still carry weight. He is fifth on the all-time IPL wicket chart, with 190 victims tucked away across stints at Rising Pune Supergiant, Kings XI Punjab, Delhi Capitals and Rajasthan Royals before last season’s homecoming. Yet CSK must balance that record against tactical options, budget constraints and their wider rebuild.
Leadership is another live issue in the Chennai camp. Ruturaj Gaikwad began 2025 as captain only for a late-season injury to push MS Dhoni back into the hot seat. The management traditionally waits for Dhoni to finish his winter training before settling on roles, and the expectation is Gaikwad will again receive the armband if Dhoni carries on as a player.
For now, the ball is with the franchise. Ashwin is contracted, available and, by the sound of it, unafraid of an honest conversation. If CSK see a clear role for him – powerplay overs, middle-order runs, leadership in the field – a handshake and a quiet email might be enough. If not, he has effectively given them permission to trade. Either way, he wants to avoid the usual swirl of auction-season rumours and focus on cricket.
