'Mentally Disturbing': R Ashwin Opens Up on Painful CSK Exit After IPL 2025

During this IPL 2026 season, Ravichandran Ashwin has been sharing his opinions quite actively, however in a very emotional moment, the former India spinner shared an interesting insight on his last IPL stint with CSK and disclosed how difficult it was to spend his last season in yellow in IPL 2025.

 

Ashwin had earlier announced his retirement from international cricket in December 2024 during India’s tour of Australia. However, the spinner continued to play in the IPL and made a comeback in CSK. Although, IPL 2025 didn't go well for both the team and Ashwin. CSK finished at the bottom of the table with just 4 wins in 14 games. The spinner had a forgettable season with just 7 wickets in 9 games while bowling at an economy rate of 9.12.

 

Season "mentally disturbing" led to retirement:

 

In an episode of his YouTube channel Ash Ki Baat, Ashwin shared that the season was indeed affecting him personally:

 

"I'd have played another season but emotionally it did not have the bandwidth. It was mentally disturbing, quite painful. I don't want to get there." 

 

The former India spinner also admitted that his decision to retire may have indirectly helped CSK as well: 

 

 "Me retiring would've spared them (CSK) the headache of whether to release or retain me. Also, they had an additional Rs 10 crore for the auction (with him being retired) - which could've been spent well to strengthen their squad."

 

Also Read | Lalit Modi Slams BCCI Over IPL Revenue Loss Claims

 

Ashwin questions CSK's bowling plans after their third consecutive loss in IPL 2026

 

Ashwin also weighed in on CSK's current rut in IPL 2026 as the team slumped to their third consecutive defeat on Sunday chasing 251 against RCB, getting bundled out for 207 after a collapse at the top.

 

 Ashwin said

 

"I am a little disappointed today. I had high expectations. I picked RCB today but CSK showed improvement in their last game. They way RCB played today, they've issued a warning to other teams." 

 

He did not shy away from commenting on CSK's bowling plans and questioned their strategy to push their bowlers towards bowling wide yorkers. He also said that the team does not have a lot of options to find a solution at the moment.

 

Ashwin concluded:

 

"I know they don't have enough options. So, I don't have any answer. They have young guys, they need to change the atmosphere and I am wondering, how will they do that?"