Ravichandran Ashwin expresses mixed feelings about rejoining Chennai Super Kings
What's the story
Former Indian spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has opened up on his mixed emotions of returning to Chennai Super Kings (CSK) for the 2025 Indian Premier League (IPL). Ashwin started his IPL career with CSK in 2009 and stayed with them until 2015. He then went on to play for Lucknow Supergiants, Punjab Kings, Delhi Capitals, and Rajasthan Royals. CSK roped him in the IPL 2025 mega auction.
Auction details
CSK secures Ashwin in mega auction
In the mega auction in November 2024, CSK bagged ace spinner Ashwin for ₹9.75 crore after a bidding war with Lucknow Supergiants, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), and Rajasthan Royals. The spinner had said he was looking forward to playing at Chepauk again. "It feels odd, actually. It has been so many years since I left, right? I am coming back into this same team," Ashwin had said in a video shared by CSK on social media.
Past performance
Ashwin's impressive track record with CSK
During his last stint with CSK, Ashwin featured in 97 IPL matches and picked 90 wickets at an economy of 6.46. In the Champions League T20, he played 24 matches for CSK and picked 30 wickets at an economy of 7.44. These numbers speak volumes about his contribution to the team in previous seasons.
Retirement and future
Ashwin's retirement and CSK's upcoming match
Ashwin had recently retired from international cricket after India's defeat in the Boxing Day Test against Australia at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. Meanwhile, CSK will start their IPL 2025 campaign against Mumbai Indians on Sunday, March 23 at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai. The match will mark Ashwin's return to his original IPL team after several years.
Information
180 scalps for Ashwin in IPL
Ashwin has played 212 IPL games. He owns 180 scalps, averaging 29-plus (ER: 7.12). He has one four-fer under his belt. He is currently the joint 5th-highest wicket-taker in IPL.