Last Updated on 2 months by Charbel Coorey
With a sense of quiet finality, Ravichandran Ashwin has announced his retirement from the Indian Premier League (IPL), closing a storied 16-year chapter in the T20 league. The 38-year-old made the announcement on August 27, 2025, signalling a graceful exit from the competition that kickstarted with Chennai Super Kings and seemed to end there too, as he wrapped up his journey with the team where it all began.
“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”, he wrote on X (formerly Twitter).
Over 221 matches in the IPL, Ashwin claimed 187 wickets at an economy rate of 7.2 – numbers which earned him a spot as the league’s fifth-highest wicket-taker in history. Having stepped away from international cricket in December 2024, his IPL retirement opens the door to fresh chapters. He’s eager to explore opportunities in overseas T20 leagues.
Reactions: Fans react to R Ashwin retiring from the IPL
Reactions poured in immediately after the announcement. Teammates, fans, and mentors offered heartfelt tributes, celebrating Ashwin’s consistency, cricketing mind, and quiet leadership.
“Our memory often cheats us into undermining someone’s capabilities. Ashwin bhai was the foremost experimenter in IPL bowling, redefining the rules when people said the format wasn’t suited for off spin bowling. A legend, and a ruthless winner, you’ll be missed,” wrote one fan on X (formerly Twitter).
Even his wife, Prithi, shared an emotional message, highlighting the personal side of his cricket journey. Here are some of the reactions.
Ashwin leaves behind a legacy that will forever echo through IPL corridors. As he steps into the global T20 circuits, he departs the league with a trove of memories, impact, and respect that few achieve.
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