R Ashwin Opens Up on ‘Painful’ CSK Phase, Says Emotional Strain Led to IPL Retirement

Former India off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has revealed that a mentally taxing and emotionally challenging phase during his stint with Chennai Super Kings played a key role in his decision to retire from the Indian Premier League (IPL).

Speaking on his YouTube show ‘Ash Ki Baat’, Ashwin, who retired from international cricket in 2024 and concluded his IPL journey last year, admitted that while he still had the ability to continue, emotional fatigue ultimately forced his hand.

“I recently went through a disappointing season with CSK. It was tough personally. Honestly, I felt I could have played longer, but emotionally, I didn’t have the bandwidth to manage everything alongside the game,” Ashwin said.

The veteran spinner had sought clarity regarding his role in the squad after being underutilized during the 2025 season. Despite it being a homecoming to the franchise where he began his IPL career, Ashwin featured in only nine out of 14 matches.

Reflecting on the period, he described it as deeply unsettling. “It was mentally disturbing and very painful. I didn’t want to dwell on it much. I had a brief discussion and then decided it was best to step away. I started my journey in Chennai, and ending it there felt right,” he added.

Ashwin also indicated that his retirement was partly influenced by a desire to ease the team’s decision-making process. “I didn’t want the franchise to be in a position where they had to decide whether to retain or release me. My exit also helped them save ₹10 crore from the purse,” he noted.

The off-spinner was acquired by CSK for ₹9.75 crore but endured a challenging season as the team struggled at the bottom of the table. The franchise, still strongly associated with veteran leader MS Dhoni, is currently undergoing a transitional phase under captain Ruturaj Gaikwad, having suffered three consecutive defeats in the ongoing campaign.

Ashwin expressed disappointment over unmet expectations but acknowledged the team’s need to rebuild. “They had the opportunity to use the purse to bring in quality players and strengthen the squad, especially with younger talent. I had hopes, but things didn’t go as expected,” he said.

His remarks provide a candid insight into the emotional challenges faced by seasoned athletes, even at the highest level, and highlight the complexities behind retirement decisions beyond just on-field performance.

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