Former Indian opener and BCCI selector Kris Srikkanth has shown an uncanny inclination towards CSK’s likely decision to part ways with former Indian spinner Ravichandran Ashwin ahead of the upcoming mini-auction for the next IPL season in 2026.
Indian spinner Ravichandran Ashwin had announced his retirement from international cricket during the last Border-Gavaskar Trophy; however, he continues to represent several franchises in T20 leagues.
Picked by the Chennai Super Kings in IPL 2025, this was a much-hyped reunion between Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, and MS Dhoni. The three had won so many matches for the Super Kings, but not this time around, since CSK finished the season at the bottom of the points table.
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Kris Srikkanth backs CSK for Ravichandran Ashwin snub ahead of mini-auction
Ashwin, who was picked up for a whopping INR 9.75 Crore by the Super Kings, could only manage to score 33 runs and pick 7 wickets in the season.
Now, months ahead of the mini-auction, CSK has shown some serious activity around their players, looking for trades as well as the release of a few players. With rumours of Ravichandran Ashwin’s release taking over, former Indian selector Kris Srikkanth has supported the move and called it in favour of the franchise after two disappointing seasons.
“Actually, I am with CSK, and if they do it, it will be a super move. I think they can muster up around 42 crores, and with the youngsters who performed well at the end of the season, they can form a good side,” Srikkanth said on his YouTube channel.
“It’s franchise cricket at the end of the day and not Tamil Nadu cricket”—Srikkanth insults former Indian spinner Ashwin
As Srikkanth agreed with CSK management on their decision to release Ravinchandran Ashwin, a rumour emerged since the trading of Sanju Samson came into speculation. According to media sources, Ashwin was thought to be traded back to the Royals in exchange for Samson.
“They thought it was a good pick, but unfortunately, you’ve got to understand that it’s franchise cricket at the end of the day and not Tamil Nadu cricket.”
“Yes, all of us admire him for his records; he has done brilliantly for IPL, CSK, India, and Tamil Nadu. But that apart, you have to win championships. The last two years, CSK has not qualified for the playoffs,” Srikkanth said.
He also highlighted that Washington Sundar, the all-rounder, replaced Ravichandran Ashwin in the Indian team in last year’s Border-Gavaskar Trophy and said that this is bound to happen in competitive cricket.
R Ashwin’s IPL career
Ravichandran Ashwin is regarded as one of the top players in the history of the Indian Premier League. Having made his debut back in 2009 for the Chennai Super Kings, he has played for five franchises in the league.
He has appeared in 221 IPL games and has gone on to pick 187 wickets at an average of 30.22, but his most crucial contributions came when he bowled with the new ball in the powerplay as well as in the death overs, when the team intended to defend low totals.
With the bat, the batter has scored 833 runs at an average of 13.01, including a half-century. He was part of CSK’s IPL-winning squad twice back in 2010 and 2011.
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