
- Ravichandran Ashwin has retired from the IPL.
- The spin veteran announced his decision on X, and hinted at playing franchise cricket around the world.
- "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," Ashwin posted on X.
- Ashwin had a grand homecoming this year after Chennai Super Kings bought him for INR 9.75 Crore.
- But he endured an underwhelming season, playing just nine matches where he picked seven wickets.
- The 38-year-old offspinner, who debuted in the league back in 2009 with CSK, went on to feature in 221 matches across multiple franchises, taking 187 wickets.
- He walks away as the fifth-highest wicket-taker in the IPL, having featured in 16 of the 18 seasons.
- Ashwin was a vital part of CSK's title wins in 2010 and 2011, picking 13 and 20 wickets respectively.
- In 2010, Ashwin was also the player of the series in CSK's Champions League T20 victory.
- In the next year's IPL final, he famously bowled the first over and dismissed Chris Gayle for a duck in RCB's chase of CSK's 205/5.
- He won a second Champions League T20 trophy with CSK in 2014.
- After a long successful stint at his home franchise, Ashwin went on to ply his trade at the now-defunct Rising Pune Supergiant, Punjab Kings – who he captained, Delhi Capitals and Rajasthan Royals.