Indian cricket fans were left stunned when Ravichandran Ashwin, one of the most decorated spinners in modern cricket, announced his sudden retirement from the Indian Premier League (IPL) earlier this week.
But the 38-year-old maestro isn’t done with the game just yet. According to reports, Ashwin is now keen on taking up player-cum-coach roles in overseas T20 leagues, signaling a new and exciting chapter in his illustrious career.
Why Ashwin Quit the IPL
Ashwin’s decision to walk away from the IPL came as a shock, especially since he was still performing consistently. In his own words, the off-spinner admitted that he no longer had the “bandwidth” to cope with the demanding three-month schedule of the tournament.
He explained that the IPL calendar was physically exhausting and mentally draining, something he was no longer keen to endure at this stage of his career.
Comparisons were inevitably drawn with MS Dhoni, who continues to play on despite being the same age. However, Ashwin clarified that every cricketer’s body and mindset are different, and he wanted to leave on his own terms rather than stretch beyond his comfort zone.
Former India opener Kris Srikkanth, though, expressed surprise at the decision, insisting that Ashwin “still had at least two years left” in IPL cricket. While Srikkanth questioned the timing, he also hinted that Ashwin’s sharp cricketing brain made him an ideal candidate for future coaching assignments.
Ravichandran Ashwin IPL Batting Stats
| Matches | Innings | Runs | Highest Score | Average | Strike Rate | 50s/100s |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 190+ | 90+ | 700+ | 46 | ~14 | 110+ | 0/0 |
Ravichandran Ashwin IPL Bowling Stats
| Matches | Overs | Wickets | Best Bowling | Economy | Bowling Avg | Strike Rate | 4W/5W |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 190+ | 650+ | 171 | 3/23 | 6.9 | ~29 | ~25 | 0/0 |
The Global T20 Leagues Calling Ashwin
Now that he has bid farewell to the IPL, Ashwin is free under BCCI rules to play in foreign leagues. Reports suggest that multiple tournaments are already interested in signing him—not just as a player, but as a mentor too.
Some of the leagues reportedly on his radar include:
- Major League Cricket (MLC), USA – where Indian stars can help grow the game.
- The Hundred, England – a unique tournament where Ashwin could become the first Indian male cricketer to participate.
- International League T20 (ILT20), UAE – which has seen big names like Andre Russell and David Warner.
- SA20, South Africa – though franchise dynamics may determine availability.
According to reports, The Hundred has already reached out to him, making it a strong possibility that Ashwin could break new ground for Indian players in England.
Ravichandran Ashwin International Career Stats
| Format | Matches | Innings (Bat) | Runs | Batting Avg | 100s/50s | Wickets | Bowling Avg | 5W/10W | Best Bowling |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tests | 100+ | 140+ | 3,300+ | 26+ | 5/14 | 500+ | ~24 | 35+/8 | 7/59 |
| ODIs | 110+ | 60+ | 700+ | 16+ | 0/1 | 150+ | ~33 | 1/0 | 4/25 |
| T20Is | 65+ | 20+ | 180+ | ~25 | 0/0 | 70+ | ~23 | 0/0 | 4/8 |
| Intl. Career Total | 280+ | 220+ | 4,200+ | 25 | – | 720+ | ~26 | 36+ | – |
Why a Player-Coach Role Suits Ashwin
For fans who have followed his career closely, Ashwin stepping into a dual role of player and coach feels like a natural transition.
- He is widely regarded as one of the smartest minds in cricket, often introducing new variations and tactics that surprise even world-class batters.
- Beyond bowling, he has shown leadership qualities, regularly sharing insights on player retention rules, workload management, and tactical approaches in T20s.
- At this stage of his career, a combined role would allow him to mentor youngsters while still contributing on the field, without the physical demands of playing every game.
Ashwin himself summed it up perfectly: “I want to enjoy my last couple of years in cricket living life on my own terms.”
shwin leaves behind an unforgettable IPL legacy—184 matches, 171 wickets, and countless match-winning spells—spanning 17 seasons with teams like Chennai Super Kings, Punjab Kings, Delhi Capitals, and Rajasthan Royals. But for him, cricket is not over. Instead, he’s redefining his career with a focus on exploration and mentorship.
His plan going forward looks like this:
| Focus Area | Ashwin’s New Chapter |
|---|---|
| Playing Role | Appear in global T20 leagues selectively |
| Coaching/Mentorship | Take up player-coach responsibilities |
| Long-term Vision | Share cricketing knowledge and inspire youngsters |
Ravichandran Ashwin IPL Teams
| Team | Seasons Played |
|---|---|
| Chennai Super Kings (CSK) | 2009 – 2015 |
| Rising Pune Supergiant | 2016 – 2017 |
| Punjab Kings (KXIP/PBKS) | 2018 – 2019 |
| Delhi Capitals (DC) | 2020 – 2021 |
| Rajasthan Royals (RR) | 2022 – 2024 |
In Shorts:
Ravichandran Ashwin’s decision to quit the IPL might have surprised fans, but his next move proves he is not ready to step away from the game he loves.
By exploring player-coach roles abroad, he is not just extending his career but also expanding Indian cricket’s influence across the world.
For fans, this could mean seeing Ashwin spin his magic in new leagues while also shaping the next generation of T20 stars. As he said himself, this is his time as an “explorer of the game”—and it’s safe to say, the cricketing world is eager to see where this new journey takes him.
