Ravichandran Ashwin's second stint with Chennai Super Kings (CSK) might just last one season. As per several reports, the legendary off-spinner has informed the five-time champions about his intention to part ways with the franchise ahead of the IPL 2026 season.

The decision is not final yet, but all the signs are indicating towards Ashwin heading to a different team. As of now, the reason behind Ashwin wanting to leave CSK is not clear.

Ashwin, for whom the franchise splashed Rs 9.75 crore at the mega auction last November, endured a tough time with the ball, claiming just seven wickets in nine games. He was also dropped from the playing XI.

Former India chief selector, Kris Srikkanth, said that he understands why CSK would want to release Ashwin ahead of the new season.

Srikkanth argued that the five-time champions failed to qualify for the playoffs in the last two editions. Hence, the need of the hour is to introduce some new blood into the squad.

“You've got to understand, it's franchise cricket. End of the day, it's not Tamil Nadu cricket, it's franchise cricket. All of us admire him for all the records he's created. He's done brilliantly for IPL, he's done brilliantly for CSK, he's done brilliantly for India, and he's done brilliantly for Tamil Nadu,” said Srikkanth on his YouTube channel.

“But that doesn't mean they're going to win championships. If you look at the last two years, CSK didn't qualify. So what did they do? They tried to pick the best team. If you look at the younger guys, Ayush Mhatre, Dewald Brevis, and Urvil Patel, they played brilliantly in the last few matches. So the batting looks strong. So they need to get some good bowlers. So they'll obviously try to form a team that'll win a championship for them,” he added.

Srikkanth said he understands the nature of the beast, saying the need of the hour in corporate cricket is to perform or perish. He also mentioned how Ashwin is at the twilight of his career and was left out of India's playing XI as Washington Sundar was preferred over him in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.

"Are you going to just sit there and say he's a legend of the game? You've got to understand, it's franchise cricket. He's not even in the Indian cricket team. They preferred Washington Sundar over him in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. He's at the back end of his career," Srikkanth stated.

"The point is, he's at the back end of his career. Poor fellow. He's done brilliantly. But in franchise cricket, it is bound to happen. It's a corporate cricket. The same corporate cricket is giving you crores of money. They are also rolling out so much money, no? They are giving you crores," he remarked.