In a major development on August 27, veteran Indian off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin, at the age of 38, announced his retirement from the Indian Premier League (IPL). This decision brings a celebrated 16-year career to a close, just months after his retirement from international cricket in December 2024. Ashwin’s IPL journey fittingly came full circle, as he rejoined his original team, Chennai Super Kings (CSK), for his final season in 2025 for a reported salary of INR 9.75 crore.
Ravichandran Ashwin and overseas T20 leagues: What lies ahead post-IPL?
Ashwin’s retirement from the IPL is a strategic move that has now made him eligible to play in overseas T20 leagues. As per the strict rules of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), a male player must satisfy three key conditions to be granted a No Objection Certificate (NOC) for foreign leagues:
- Retired from international cricket
- Retired from domestic cricket
- Retired from the IPL
By announcing his departure from the IPL, Ashwin has now met all the necessary criteria. This opens the door for him to pursue new opportunities globally, a path he hinted at in his IPL retirement social media post. “They say every ending will have a new start,” he wrote. “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.”
This new chapter could see him showcasing his skills in various leagues around the world, such as the UAE’s ILT20, South Africa’s SA20, Australia’s Big Bash League (BBL), England’s The Hundred, and USA’s Major League Cricket (MLC). Ashwin could soon a select group of former Indian cricketers, including Yuvraj Singh, Ambati Rayudu, Shikhar Dhawan and Dinesh Karthik who have taken the field in foreign leagues after their retirement from the Indian cricket system.
Also READ: Fans pour out emotional reactions as Ravichandran Ashwin announces IPL retirement
A look at Ashwin’s remarkable IPL legacy
Ashwin leaves behind a monumental legacy in the IPL. In a career spanning 221 matches, he claimed a total of 187 wickets at an average of 30.22, with his best bowling figures being 4/34. His economy rate of 7.20 showcases his ability to stifle runs in high-pressure situations. A valuable contributor with the bat as well, he accumulated 833 runs , including a half-century with a highest score of 50.
His journey began with CSK in 2009, where he became a crucial part of their championship-winning teams in 2010 and 2011. Throughout his career, he went on to play for multiple franchises, including Rising Pune Supergiant, Punjab Kings, Delhi Capitals and Rajasthan Royals, before his final season with CSK. His career has been marked by his clever variations, tactical brilliance, and a consistent ability to out-think the batters, cementing his status as one of the finest spinners the league has ever seen.
Also READ: Breakdown of Ravichandran Ashwin’s IPL salary since his debut – From 2008 to 2025
