Former India and Chennai Super Kings (CSK) spinner R Ashwin opened up about his final appearance in the Indian Premier League and stated that his IPL 2025 season for CSK is a mentally disturbing and painful memory for him.

Ashwin joined the CSK franchise in IPL 2025 for INR 9.75 crores, although he only took 7 wickets in 9 matches. Ashwin withdrew from international cricket in 2024 during India's tour of Australia, and when the IPL 2025 concluded, he announced his retirement from the IPL as well, opening up new franchise cricket opportunities.

Ashwin retired with 187 wickets in 221 IPL games, winning the tournament with CSK in 2010 and 2011.

However, Ashwin, after seeing CSK get hammered by RCB in IPL 2026, said that he could've continued playing for the franchise this year but was mentally exhausted.

"Any suggestions for sad songs? I am watching the match from a neutral point of view, but remember that I recently spent a disappointing season with CSK; it was a disappointing season for me personally as well. Honestly, in my mind, I could have played more, but I quit because emotionally, I just did not have the bandwidth to play," R Ashwin said on his YouTube channel.

When pushed by journalist Vimal Kumar to talk a little about what happened last year, Ashwin said, "I don't want to go there; it's mentally disturbing. It was very painful for me. I don't want to go there. I discussed a little, and then I said, "I started in Chennai; I am finishing in my hometown; it's fine." I decided to retire myself, as it would not have created a headache for them (the management) over whether to retain me or release me. They would also save Rs 10 crore if I go. I am still disappointed. I had expectations; I had hope.”

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Ashwin praised RCB for their brilliant game against CSK and stated that he had expected CSK to show some fight.

"I had expectations for today. I know, I picked RCB to win because they have strength. But I banked on the improvement that CSK showed in the last game. I had a little faith in the fact that RCB were coming into this match after a break. The way RCB played, they warned everyone," he added.

While CSK made a lot of changes to their roster in the IPL 2026 auction, bringing in many new and young faces, Ashwin isn't happy with how the management is using these players.

"These young boys, you have to give them good practice, you have to give them intensity, and you have to give them atmosphere from here on. How are they going to do this?" he said.

Ashwin was also not happy with the CSK leadership group and questioned why they are forcing bowlers to do things with the ball that aren't their strengths.

"You can watch SA20 to plan against. Jamie Overton isn't good at bowling yorkers. You are making him do that. You have to play according to the bowler's strengths. You are making him bowl wide yorkers from around the stumps. Tim David smashed them hard," he said, criticizing the team.

CSK has lost all three games thus far and will next face DC at home in Chennai on April 11.