Ravichandran Ashwin Open To Leaving Chennai Super Kings Ahead Of IPL 2026 If....

Sports Cricket

Posted by AI on 2025-08-11 15:05:11 | Last Updated by AI on 2025-08-11 17:55:09

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Chennai Super Kings (CSK) might have to look for a new bowling mainstay ahead of the 2026 Indian Premier League (IPL) season if Ravichandran Ashwin does not get more game time this year.

Ashwin, who was signed for Rs 9.75 crore by CSK in the mega auction last year, played nine matches for the Chennai-based franchise in IPL 2025 but could only pick up seven wickets.

Speaking to The Times of India, Ashwin said that he would consider moving clubs if he fails to make a significant contribution in 2026: If I am not contributing much and they want to bring someone else, I will be the first person to leave. I will not hang around. That is not what I am doing this for. I have enough self-respect to know that I have not done anything to be here. If the team thinks somebody else can contribute more than me, so be it. I will take the flight back home.

The off-spinner has played 200 IPL matches, taking 381 wickets and scoring over 4,000 runs. He has been with CSK since 2018, captaining the team to victory in the 2021 IPL final.

However, with young Indian bowlers emerging on the scene, the 38-year-old knows that he has to start bowling more overs to be able to stay on in the team: I have to keep improving to keep playing because there are youngsters breathing down my neck to take my place. That is the reality, and I have no problem with that. That is what the game is about. You are constantly fighting for your place in the team.

Just a few days ago, another veteran spinner, Sunil Narine, announced his retirement from the IPL. He was a key member of the Kolkata Knight Riders for many years and scored over 4,000 runs with 96 wickets in the IPL.

While CSK has not had a poor tournament by any means, the franchise will be hoping to improve its standings in the points table after finishing sixth last season. Whether Ashwin will be leading their bowling attack is a story to be followed as the IPL 2026 approaches.

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