The off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin announced his retirement in the IPL on August 27, ending his 14-year career with the Chennai Super Kings (CSK).

Ashwin, who joined CSK for a whopping price of INR 9.75 crore in the mega auction. He was expected to see out the ongoing 2025-27 cycle with the Super Kings, but his announcement on social media came as a shock.

“Chepauk’s own. The carrom-ball thiruppura-sundaran (the beautiful spinner)!” said CSK referring to Ashwin’s one of the favourite characters from the Tamil film Michael Madana Kama Rajan.

“From your first run-ups in Yellove on the dusty tracks of Anbuden to absolute spin domination in the world’s grandest arenas, you’ve given us everything. You’ve pillared our legacy and made Fortress Chepauk roar like no other!

“You truly have the streets, Ashwin!”

CSK has also shared a specially designed poster featuring a giant image of Ashwin plastered across the stands of the M.A.Chidambaram Stadium.

“The journey that began as a Super King, ends as a Super King. Forever a lion, forever one of us,” the franchise added.

Ravichandran Ashwin was instrumental in CSK first two IPL title in 2010 and 2011. He played under MS Dhoni for CSK between 2009 and 2015, before making a homecoming to the five-times champions in 2025.

Ravichandran Ashwin embraced IPL captaincy for the first time in his career when he was given the reins of the Punjab Kings in 2018.

Ashwin returned to CSK during IPL 2025 auction for a whooping pice of INR 9.75 crore and featured in nine out of 14 games picking seven wickets.

This campaign marked his first stint back with his home town after spending eight seasons with other franchises.

Notably, it was also the first time since his debut season in 2009 that he played fewer than 12 matches. Additionally, Ravichandran Ashwin endured his most expensive bowling season yet conceding runs at economy rate of 9.12, his first time exceeding an economy of 8.49.

Ashwin has previously admitted that he sought clarity over his future in CSK. While many expected him to return to the auction pool, Ashwin instead suprised fans and experts alike with his decision to retire from the league.

Ashwin confirmed that he would look to pursue opportunities in overseas T20 leagues. There is strong speculation that he could feature SA20, Major League Cricket or ILT20.