Last Updated on 3 months by Charbel Coorey
Former India all-rounder R Ashwin has sought clarity from the Chennai Super Kings (CSK), on his role for the 2026 Indian Premier League (IPL) season and is open to parting ways if he does not feature in their plans, ESPNcricinfo has reported.
Ashwin was bought for ₹9.75 crore at the 2025 mega auction, which was billed as a homecoming. He featured in only nine of the team’s 14 league matches last season, the fewest games he has played in a single campaign since his debut year in 2009. The 38-year-old off-spinner endured his most expensive IPL season yet, conceding runs at 9.12 an over, surpassing his previous worst economy rate of 8.49.
Chance that R Ashwin has played his last game for CSK
The player release deadline will depend on the yet-to-be-finalised date of the IPL 2026 auction. While mega auctions occur every three years, a mini auction is held annually between November and February. Player trades can be conducted until a week before the auction. Ashwin, during an interview with Rajasthan Royals skipper Sanju Samson, had even hinted light-heartedly at the possibility of a trade.
A veteran of 197 IPL matches, Ashwin is the league’s fifth-highest wicket-taker. He began his IPL career with CSK, later representing Rising Pune Supergiant, Kings XI Punjab (now Punjab Kings), Delhi Capitals and Rajasthan Royals, before returning to Chennai in 2025 after an eight-season gap.
Here is Ashwin’s detailed look at his IPL career:
Matches: 221
Runs: 833
Wickets: 187
Highest Score: 50
Bowling Average: 30.22
3 Wickets in an Innings: 9
4 Wickets in an Innings: 1
The franchise faces other major decisions, notably around captaincy. In 2025, Ruturaj Gaikwad began the season as skipper but was sidelined mid-tournament due to injury, prompting MS Dhoni to step back into the role. CSK typically awaits Dhoni’s decision on his availability after he resumes training at the end of the year. Despite Dhoni’s presence, Gaikwad is expected to remain captain if fit, continuing the leadership transition initiated last season.
With Ashwin’s future under discussion and leadership roles yet to be confirmed, CSK could be heading into a pivotal off-season phase ahead of IPL 2026 auction.
