Ravichandran Ashwin / Does Ashwin not want to play with Dhoni? He may not be seen playing for CSK next season

Ravichandran Ashwin: The 19th season of the Indian Premier League (IPL) will be played in the year 2026, and all 10 franchises have started preparations for it. A mini player auction will be held before this season, the list of players to be included in which will not be clear until the teams announce their retain and release list. Meanwhile, a big news is coming out that former India off-spin bowler Ravichandran Ashwin, who has been associated with Chennai Super Kings (CSK) for a long time, has made up his mind to leave the franchise before the next season.

Ashwin's decision to part ways with CSK

The reasons behind Ravichandran Ashwin's decision to leave Chennai Super Kings are not yet clear. According to a report by Cricbuzz, Ashwin has informed the franchise of his intention. Recently there was a meeting of CSK officials and players, including former captain MS Dhoni and current captain Ruturaj Gaikwad. It is believed that the strategy for IPL 2026 was prepared in this meeting. It is worth noting that Ashwin was bought by CSK for Rs 9.75 crore in the mega auction of IPL 2025.

Possible reasons

Although Ashwin has not given any clear reason behind his decision, some experts believe that it may be related to his performance last season or strategic differences with the franchise. Apart from this, Ashwin may also intend to seek new experience or make a new start with another franchise.

Ashwin's performance in IPL 2025

Ravichandran Ashwin's performance in IPL 2025 was not up to expectations. He got a chance to play in 9 matches, in which he took only 7 wickets at an average of 40.43. His contribution in batting was also limited, where he scored just 33 runs in the entire season. However, Ashwin's overall IPL career has been impressive. He has taken a total of 187 wickets in 221 matches at an average of 30.22, which shows his ability.

Ashwin's history with CSK

Ashwin has a long and illustrious history with Chennai Super Kings. He started his IPL career with CSK and was the franchise's key bowler for several seasons. His spin bowling and strategic understanding led CSK to many important victories. However, his performance has been fluctuating in the last few years, due to which it is being speculated that perhaps he is looking for new challenges.

IPL 2026 preparations

All the franchises are busy finalizing their strategies for IPL 2026. Preparing the list of retained and released players before the mini auction will be an important step. The departure of an experienced player like Ashwin could be a big change for CSK, and the franchise will have to look for new talent to fill his place.

Strategy of other franchises

Other teams are also busy strengthening their strategies. Some franchises may bet on young players, while some will try to retain experienced players. Many new faces are expected to get a chance in the mini auction, which can make this season more exciting.