Veteran Indian off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has announced his retirement from the Indian Premier League (IPL), bringing the curtain down on a 15-year-long career in the world’s biggest T20 tournament.
Ashwin, 38, shared the update on X, writing: “Special day and hence a special beginning. 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.”
One of the league’s most consistent performers, Ashwin finishes as the fifth-highest wicket-taker in IPL history, claiming 187 wickets in 221 matches at an economy of just over 7. He first rose to prominence with the Chennai Super Kings, where he won multiple titles under MS Dhoni’s leadership, before also representing Rising Pune Supergiant, Punjab Kings, Delhi Capitals, and most recently, the Rajasthan Royals.
Ashwin had already retired from international cricket in December 2024. His IPL retirement now opens the door for him to feature in overseas franchise leagues, something BCCI rules permit only after players have stepped away from both international and IPL cricket.
A two-time World Cup winner and one of India’s greatest match-winners in Tests, Ashwin’s decision marks the end of an era in the IPL but signals the start of a new phase in his T20 career abroad.
