Veteran Indian off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has opened up about his retirement decision from international cricket after the third Test against Australia. Ravichandran Ashwin also spoke about his future with Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and revealed his plans for IPL.
Ashwin surprised many by announcing his retirement from international cricket on December 18. Following the announcement, the 38-year-old decided not to stay with the Indian team for the remaining two Tests of the ongoing series. He returned to India and arrived in Chennai less than a day later.
It’s a Great Sense of Relief and Satisfaction – Ravichandran Ashwin
Ashwin received a warm welcome from his family and friends upon arriving in Chennai. Speaking to news agency ANI, Ashwin admitted that he decided to retire on Day 4 of the Gabba Test match and called it on Day 5. He described his decision as a great sense of relief and satisfaction.
“It’s not. It’s emotional for a lot of people. It will be emotional, maybe it will sink in. But for me, it’s a great sense of relief and satisfaction…It had been running in my head for a while but it was very instinctive. I felt it on day 4 and called it on day 5…,” Ashwin said.
There were no rumors about Ashwin’s retirement until Virat Kohli was seen sharing an emotional hug with him in the Indian dressing room on Day 5. Ashwin then joined captain Rohit Sharma at the post-match press conference to announce his retirement. Ashwin ended his career with 765 international wickets.
I Am Going to Play for CSK and Don’t Be Surprised – Ravichandran Ashwin
Ashwin will rejoin Chennai Super Kings for IPL 2025 after being picked up at the mega auction in Jeddah. The spinner stated that he wants to prolong his career as a cricketer for as long as possible. Ashwin emphasized that he is not done playing and will keep pursuing his career in the IPL.
“I am going to play for CSK and don’t be surprised if I try and aspire to play for as long as I can. I don’t think Ashwin the cricketer is done, I think Ashwin the Indian cricketer has probably called it time. That’s it,” Ashwin added.
Ashwin was bought by Chennai Super Kings for Rs. 9.75 crore at the IPL 2025 auction. He will return to the Super Kings for the first time since 2015. Ashwin made his IPL debut with CSK in 2009 under captain MS Dhoni.
I Don’t Want to Live My Life Like That – Ravichandran Ashwin
When asked about not captaining the senior national team during his career, Ashwin responded humorously, saying, “I can’t anymore. It’s done.” Ashwin added that he has no regrets, stating that he prefers not to live his life that way.
“I can’t anymore. It’s done. No, I have zero regrets. I have seen so many people with regrets from afar, but I don’t want to live my life like that,” Ashwin quipped when asked about the captaincy.