Ravichandran Ashwin seeks clarity from the Chennai Super Kings (CSK). The off-spinner had returned to the franchise that had helped him launch his India career after 8 years. Many, including CSK and Ashwin, viewed it as a homecoming for the local boy.
But things didn’t go as planned. It turned out to be Ashwin’s most expensive Indian Premier League (IPL) season, in terms of economy. It was also the second time in his career that he featured in fewer than 10 matches. The last time he played fewer games was in his debut year, 2009.
End of the Ashwin-CSK tale?
According to ESPNcricinfo, Ashwin has informed CSK that he has no issue parting ways if he doesn’t fit into their plans for the IPL 2026 season. The spinner had jokingly alluded to being traded before the auction during his chat with Sanju Samson recently.
Since CSK spent a large amount of money to acquire him, Rs 9.75 crore, they will likely get a big-name player for the sum. The trade window will remain open until the week before the IPL 2026 auction. The date for it hasn’t been decided yet, but November and December are generally the window for it.
If a potential trade isn’t possible, Ashwin will be released. This will free up CSK’s purse quite a bit for the IPL 2026 auction, and they can find a worthy replacement for him. If Ashwin leaves the franchise, he will also have to step down as the Director of Operations at the CSK Academy in Chennai.
CSK squad before IPL 2026 auction
MS Dhoni (wk), Ruturaj Gaikwad (c), Devon Conway, Dewald Brevis, Rahul Tripathi, Shaik Rasheed, Vansh Bedi (wk), Andre Siddarth, Ayush Mhatre, Urvil Patel (wk), Ravindra Jadeja, Shivam Dube, Rachin Ravindra, Sam Curran, Ravichandran Ashwin, Vijay Shankar, Deepak Hooda, Jamie Overton, Kamlesh Nagarkoti, Anshul Kamboj, Ramakrishna Ghosh, Matheesha Pathirana, Mukesh Choudhary, Khaleel Ahmed, Noor Ahmad, Nathan Ellis, Shreyas Gopal, Gurjapneet Singh
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