R Ashwin

IPL 2026: Mentally disturbing and painful, Ashwin on quitting IPL

Former India off-spinner R Ashwin has revealed that he could have played the IPL a bit longer had it not been for a "mentally disturbing" and "painful" phase that he went through during his time with the Chennai Super Kings. On his youtube show 'Ash Ki Baat', the veteran, who retired from international cricket in 2024 before ending his IPL run last year, said he decided to call it quits to save the franchise the dilemma of deciding his fate.. "...I recently spent a disappointing season with CSK, it was a disappointing season for me personally. Honestly, in my mind, I could have played more, but I quit because emotionally, I just did not have the bandwidth to play while managing everything else," Ashwin said. Ashwin, before announcing his IPL retirement, had sought clarity from CSK about his role after being used sparingly during the 2025 season. He appeared in only nine of CSK's 14 matches in what was to be his homecoming after starting his IPL journey with the same team.. The ...

IPL 2026: Ravichandran Ashwin says work ethic key to CSK's upward climb

Bogged down by a third successive loss this IPL season, Chennai Super Kings team management must work on keeping a "hurting" dressing room in good spirits to arrest the slide, Indian spin legend R Ashwin has said. CSK suffered a crushing 43-run defeat to Royal Challengers Bengaluru on Sunday to remain at the bottom of the points table with three straight reverses. Speaking on JioHotstar, Ashwin and former South African captain Faf du Plessis analysed CSK's problems. "I am sure the dressing room atmosphere is going to be hurting. I am not too sure how hard the words can be, but honestly, with such a young side, there is only one way you can go and that is upwards. "The way to go upwards is to get a really good work ethic going and a good team atmosphere. I am sure it is going to be extremely deflating inside that Chennai dressing room after this thumping defeat to RCB," Ashwin said. The former India spinner said it is not fair to expect accountability from the inexperienced ...

IPL 2026: Kohli walks the talk, energy bizarre at this age, says Ashwin

All praise for Virat Kohli, former off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin says the Indian stalwart continues to "walk the talk" with his unmatched energy and intensity despite having retired from Test and T20I formats. Returning to T20 cricket for the first time since last year's IPL final on June 3, Kohli showed no signs of rust, smashing his 28th IPL half-century (69 not out off 38 balls) to power defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru to a commanding six-wicket win over Sunrisers Hyderabad in the 2026 season-opener. "He walks the talk," Ashwin said on a JioHotstar show. "It's almost like he's putting on a show for people to see how the game should be played, play it hard and play it the way it's meant to be played. That stood out for me with respect to what Virat did." Kohli was already in sublime touch coming into the IPL, having scored 93, 23 and 124 in the ODI series against New Zealand in January, where he finished as India's leading run-getter. The 37-year-old had also .

Ravichandran Ashwin signs deal with San Francisco Unicorns in MLC

Former India off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin is all set to make his Major League Cricket debut in June after signing for San Francisco Unicorns. "The San Francisco Unicorns have secured a landmark signing for the 2026 Cognizant Major League Cricket (MLC) season, adding Indian cricket legend Ravichandran Ashwin to its roster," the franchise announced on its official website on Saturday. Ashwin will thus become the first-ever India-capped player to compete in this league, and one of the most prominent Indian players to take part in an international T20 tournament outside the Indian Premier League. Ashwin was supposed to play in last edition of Big Bash League (BBL) for Sydney Thunders but had to pull out due to an injury. "Ashwin joins the Unicorns with a unique cricketing resume, having won the 2011 Cricket World Cup and the 2013 Champions Trophy, and has earned over 100 caps in both Test and ODI cricket, with 65 appearances in T20 internationals," the franchise further stated. He

Yuzvendra Chahal to R Ashwin: Top ten highest wicket-takers in IPL history

Leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal currently leads the chart of IPL's top wicket-takers with 221 wickets, while among pacers, the list is led by Bhuvneshwar Kumar with 198 wickets to his name

Credit for India's aggressive batting intent goes to Rohit, Dravid: Ashwin

India's aggressive batting approach, which has brought a lot of success, is credit to former captain Rohit Sharma and ex-head coach Rahul Dravid, according to Ravichandran Ashwin. The former Indian off-spinner said the duo not only preached a more attacking style but also led by example, triggering a shift in India's approach in T20Is and ODIs. "Rohit as a captain has always been laying his stamp by showing the team what he wants from it. The transitional batting that India has gone through in T20 cricket and ODI cricket --the way we bat fast -- a lot of credit for that goes to Rohit and Rahul bhai," Ashwin said on his YouTube channel 'Ash Ki Baat.' "They showed the way, Rahul bhai said this is how we have to play and Rohit showed the way..paved the way and eventually it has changed the way how Indian perceived batting. Batting is not average it is purely strike rate in white ball cricket," he added. Under Rohit and Dravid, India adopted a more proactive template after a series of

Ashwin's landmark deal sees him join Sydney Thunder for upcoming BBL season

According to a report by Fox Sports, the 39-year-old has agreed to join the Thunder, with the official announcement from the franchise expected later this week.

Ravichandran Ashwin set to join Sydney Thunder for upcoming BBL season

According to a report by Fox Sports, the 39-year-old has agreed to join the Thunder, with the official announcement from the franchise expected later this week.

ILT20 and BBL emerge as possible new homes for Ashwin in franchise cricket

The ILT20 is set to run from December 2 to January 4, while the BBL kicks off on December 14 and stretches until January 25

Ashwin comes in defence of Pycroft ahead of India vs Pakistan Super 4 clash

Former India off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has backed match referee Andy Pycroft amid Pakistan's criticism in the post-match handshake controversy, saying the Zimbabwean official is not a "school teacher" and was only doing his job to avoid an unnecessary spectacle. Pycroft was the referee last Sunday when India, as a policy decision, did not shake hands with Pakistan after their Asia Cup match. He was dragged into the controversy after India skipper Suryakumar Yadav did not follow the convention at the toss. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) wrote two emails to the ICC first requesting Pycroft's removal from the tournament and then seeking his exclusion from their games. Both demands were rejected, with the world body standing firmly behind its Elite Panel referee. "Andy Pycroft actually saved everybody from seeing such a poor spectacle. India informed the match referee in advance this is our decision, and we will follow it. That's it. After all this drama, you lost the match. S

Asia Cup: Ashwin mocks Pakistan cricket before IND vs PAK Super 4 match

Ravichandran Ashwin backs referee Andy Pycroft, slams PCB over handshake row as India face Pakistan in Asia Cup Super 4 clash.

Ashwin reportedly planning to register for ILT20 auction: Reports

Having retired from all forms of Indian cricket, spin great Ravichandran Ashwin has now confirmed his interest in being part of the auctions for the next edition of ILT20, which will be held in the UAE from December 2 to January 4, 2026. Ashwin, who will turn 39 in another couple of weeks, had recently announced his retirement from the IPL, which has now made him eligible to play in franchise-based T20 leagues across the globe. India's second-highest wicket-taker across formats with 765 scalps from 287 international games, will be the most high-profile name to play in a global league outside IPL if any franchise happens to pick him at the auctions. "Yes, I am in talks with the organisers. Hopefully, I will have a buyer if I register for the auction," Ashwin was quoted as saying by Cricbuzz. The auction is scheduled to take place on September 30 in Dubai and registration for the same will be completed by September 10. This is the first time that ILT20 will have an auction as it ...

16 years, 5 storms: R Ashwin's most talked moments in IPL history

Veteran spinner Ravichandran Ashwin's IPL career was full of drama. Here are the top five controversies that defined his 16 years in the tournament.

Ashwin stuns fans with IPL retirement, opens door to overseas leagues

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, says R Ashwin

Ashwin reveals the reason behind his sudden international retirement

The off-spinner explained that, in his own mind, he had initially planned to walk away from Test cricket around the age of 34 or 35

Brevis' signing followed all rules: CSK responds to Ashwin controversy

Chennai Super Kings on Saturday issued clarification regarding the signing of Dewald Brevis midway through the IPL 2025 season, saying the signing process of the South African batter was in "complete compliance with the rules and regulations" of the league. A raging controversy was sparked as former India spinner Ravichandran Ashwin, currently in the CSK roster, hinted in his YouTube channel that the five-time IPL champions were willing to pay extra to avail Brevis' services. "Chennai Super Kings categorically clarifies that all actions taken by the franchise during the signing process of Dewald Brevis as a Replacement Player during TATA Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 were in complete compliance with the rules and regulations of IPL, the CSK said in a statement. In April, 2025, Dewald Brevis was signed for a league fee of INR 2.2 Cr as a replacement player for the injured Gurjapneet Singh, who was picked up at the IPL 2025 Player Auction held at Abadi AI Johar Arena, Jeddah, Saudi

Ashwin clarifies Brevis comments, Calls CSK signing a masterstroke

Ashwin's previous comments, made during a video on his YouTube channel, had stirred controversy after he hinted that CSK were willing to pay extra to secure Brevis during IPL 2025.

Ravichandran Ashwin seeks clarity on CSK role ahead of IPL 2026 auction

Ashwin, who was picked up by CSK for ₹9.75 crore at the 2025 mega auction, featured in just nine of the team's 14 matches this season, a significant drop from his usual involvement.

Ashwin set to part ways with Chennai Super Kings before IPL 2026 auction

Speculation has intensified following a series of high-level meetings in Chennai involving top CSK personnel, including skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad and former captain MS Dhoni.

Ashwin slams England for their 'double standards' during Manchester Test

Ashwin emphasized that centuries in Test cricket are earned, not handed out, and firmly supported India's decision to bat on until both players reached three figures.