R Ashwin is set to part ways with Chennai Super Kings ahead of the upcoming IPL season, marking an end to his second stint with his home franchise. The veteran off-spinner, who currently serves as the Director of Operations at the CSK Academy, is likely to relinquish this position as well to avoid any potential conflict of interest if he joins another franchise.As per Cricbuzz, Ashwin has reportedly communicated his decision to the CSK management, though the exact reasons behind this separation remain unclear. This development comes amid recent meetings between top CSK officials and players, including current and former captains MS Dhoni and Ruturan Gaikwad, in Chennai.The 38-year-old spinner returned to CSK in 2025 after a ten-year gap, having been acquired for INR 9.75 crore. He featured in nine matches for the franchise last season. During his IPL career spanning from 2009, Ashwin has accumulated impressive statistics with 187 wickets from 220 matches at an economy rate of 7.29, along with 833 runs scored at a strike rate of 118.Ashwin’s IPL journey began with Chennai Super Kings, where he played for six seasons from 2009 to 2015. Following this initial stint, he represented various franchises including Delhi Capitals, Punjab Kings, and Rajasthan Royals between 2016 and 2024 before returning to CSK.Last season, however, was far from Ashwin’s best. He featured in only nine matches for CSK, picking up just seven wickets while conceding runs at an economy rate of 9.13. With the bat, he failed to make any notable contributions, which marked a dip in form compared to his usually reliable all-round presence in the IPL.The news of Ashwin’s departure follows another significant development in the IPL circuit, with reports of Sanju Samson requesting release from Rajasthan Royals.
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With his extensive experience and proven track record in the IPL, Ashwin is expected to attract interest from other franchises. The primary question now remains whether he will be traded to another team or enter the auction pool for the upcoming season.During his entire IPL career, Ashwin has demonstrated his value as both a bowler and a lower-order batsman. His economy rate of 7.29 and useful lower-order contributions highlight his all-round capabilities in the T20 format.This development marks a significant change in CSK’s roster, particularly given Ashwin’s long association with the franchise across two separate stints. The team will need to reconfigure their spin bowling department following his departure.
