Ravichandran Ashwin said goodbye to international cricket last year, and recently, he announced his retirement from the IPL as well. Now, Ashwin has also revealed the reason behind quitting the IPL. He said that the IPL schedule has become too hectic, which made him take this decision.
Ashwin praised MS Dhoni for his long cricketing career and added that he might explore opportunities to play in leagues like The Hundred and SA20 in the future. Having played 221 IPL matches, Ashwin also mentioned that he is open to coaching in the coming years, but only on his own terms.
The veteran off-spinner, who retired from international cricket in December 2024, opened up about his sudden decision to end his IPL career. This week, he announced his exit from the IPL and bid farewell to Chennai Super Kings (CSK), the team where his journey began.
On his YouTube channel, Ashwin explained that he no longer has the energy to handle the three-month-long IPL season. He admitted that with age, continuous travelling, playing matches, and recovery have become increasingly challenging for him.
Ashwin said, “I was wondering whether I would be able to play IPL next year. The three-month-long tournament has now become too much for me, and it’s exhausting. That’s why I am amazed when I look at MS Dhoni. As you grow older, your ability to play the IPL reduces.”
There were speculations that his retirement might be linked to Chennai Super Kings’ mini-auction plans, but Ashwin clarified that he is considering playing in overseas leagues. The 38-year-old hinted at potential opportunities in The Hundred and SA20 and revealed that he has already registered for another league, though he didn’t disclose its name.
He further added that he is also ready to take up coaching roles in the future but will do so on his own conditions.