In a major development on August 27, decorated Indian cricketer and world-class bowling all-rounder Ravichandran Ashwinat the age of 38, announced his retirement from the Indian Premier League (IPL). This decision brings a celebrated 16-year career to a close, just months after his retirement from international cricket in December 2024. Ashwin’s IPL journey fittingly came full circle, as he rejoined his original team, Chennai Super Kings (CSK), for his final season in 2025 for a reported salary of INR 9.75 crore.

Ravichandran Ashwin and franchise T20 leagues: What lies ahead post-IPL?

Ashwin’s retirement from the IPL is a strategic move that has now made him eligible to play in franchise T20 leagues around the world. As per the strict rules of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI)a male player must satisfy three key conditions to be granted a No Objection Certificate (NOC) for foreign leagues:

• Retired from international cricket
• Retired from domestic cricket
• Retired from the IPL

By announcing his departure from the IPL, Ashwin has now met all the necessary criteria. This opens the door for him to pursue new opportunities globally, a path he hinted at in his IPL retirement social media post, which garnered significant attention from his large social media following. “They say every ending will have a new start,” he wrote. “My time as an IPL cricketer comes to a close today, but my time as an explorer of the game around various leagues begins today.”

This new chapter could see the prolific test wicket-taker showcasing his skills in various leagues around the world, such as the UAE’s ILT20, South Africa’s SA20, Australia’s Big Bash League (BBL), England’s The Hundred, and USA’s Major League Cricket (MLC). Ashwin could soon join a select group of former Indian cricketers, including Yuvraj Singh, Ambati Rayudu, Shikhar Dhawan, and Dinesh Karthik, who have taken the field in foreign leagues after their retirement from the Indian cricket system. With his wealth of experience and tactical acumen, Ashwin is poised to become a true T20 globetrotter in the coming years.

A look at Ashwin’s remarkable IPL legacy

Ashwin leaves behind a monumental legacy in the IPL. In a career spanning 221 matches, he claimed a total of 187 wickets at an average of 30.22, with his best bowling figures being an impressive four-wicket haul of 4/34. His economy rate of 7.20 showcases his ability to stifle runs in high-pressure situations. A valuable contributor with the bat as well, he accumulated 833 runs, including a half-century with a highest score of 50, further cementing his status as a reliable bowling all-rounder.

His journey began with CSK in 2009, where he became a crucial part of their championship-winning teams in 2010 and 2011. Throughout his good playing years, he went on to represent multiple franchises, including Rising Pune Supergiant, Punjab Kings, Delhi Capitals, and Rajasthan Royals, before his final season with CSK. His career has been marked by his clever variations, tactical brilliance, and a consistent ability to out-think the batters, cementing his status as one of the finest spinners the league has ever seen.

As a world cup winner and a key player in India’s Border-Gavaskar Trophy victories, Ashwin’s impact extends far beyond the IPL. His retirement from the league marks the end of an era, but also the beginning of an exciting new chapter in his cricketing journey.