Ashwin announced his retirement from the Indian Premier League on Wednesday.
Ashwin confirmed his decision through social media while thanking IPL franchises he has played over the years and the BCCI.
In his farewell note, Ashwin categorially mentioned that he is ready to explore new leagues. “They say every ending will have a new start; 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,” he wrote.
Reacting to the development, former India opener Aakash Chopra called the step bold and unprecedented, wondering whether Ashwin’s decision could inspire other Indian players to follow the same route.
“Ravichandran Ashwin has said goodbye to the IPL as well, and he is now saying that he will go play the different leagues across the globe. He is charting a new course. His IPL career has been terrific, but all good stories come to an end, and his story ends here. Does it mean other Indian players can also go to play in other leagues?” Chopra asked on his YouTube channel.
However, the cricketer-turned-commentator highlighted the financial implications, noting Ashwin's bold move contrasts with the lucrative IPL deals.
“Indian players aren’t allowed to play in the other leagues to save the novelty of the IPL. If you have to go and play elsewhere, you have to retire not just from international cricket, but also from the IPL, and that’s a slightly big caveat. You can go and play somewhere else only if you say tata bye-bye to IPL money,” he explained.
Citing Ashwin’s Rs 9.75 crore contract with CSK, Chopra added: “He is doing something incredibly different. Everyone cannot do that. If someone is getting good money here, why would he leave? Ashwin is writing a different story.”
Notably, the BCCI bars its men's players from joining franchise leagues other than the IPL. But after retiring from all forms of international cricket as well as the IPL, the off-spinner is free to play in tournaments anywhere he wants to.
“Let’s celebrate Ravichandran Ashwin,” Chopra concluded. “He has done incredible things with a clean action in a tough format for finger spinners. Constantly outthinking the batter — it seems like he hasn’t bowled two similar balls.”
Ashwin could be the most sought-after player in The Hundred auction, not just because four of the eight franchises have been partially or fully bought by the IPL owners, but also because of what he brings to the table as a seasoned spin bowler.
Ashwin started off his IPL career at CSK in 2009 and played a key role in the team’s title wins in 2010 and 2011. He was associated with the Chennai-based franchise till 2015 before joining the now-defunct Rising Pune Super Giants, followed by stints with the Punjab Kings, Delhi Capitals, and Rajasthan Royals.
Ashwin returned to his home franchise in 2025 after a gap of eight years, but failed to make a mark. Overall, he played 221 IPL matches and claimed 187 wickets at an economy rate of 7.20, finishing as the fifth-highest wicket-taker in the league’s history.