By Prakash Nair 
Chennai, August 9: Ravichandran Ashwin is set to walk away from Chennai Super Kings, ending a chapter that began more than a decade ago and helped define the franchise’s golden years. The 37-year-old off-spinner has reportedly told CSK he will not return for IPL 2026 and will also give up his role as Director of Operations at the CSK Academy to avoid conflict of interest if he joins another team, according to Hindustan Times.
The timing of this move is striking. CSK are coming off their worst season in IPL history bottom of the table in 2025 and Ashwin’s own returns were modest at best: just seven wickets in nine matches, with an economy rate that failed to apply the pressure he was once famous for.
Collapse Of A Season
For a team known for composure under pressure, CSK’s 2025 campaign was riddled with missed chances. Their powerplay bowling lacked bite, their middle overs bled runs, and batting collapses became a recurring theme. Ashwin, historically a match-winner in the middle overs, often found himself unable to turn games around. Even his trademark carrom ball seemed less threatening on surfaces where opposition batters attacked early.
The off-spinner didn’t hide his frustration. After the season, he admitted the results “hurt” deeply, especially given his connection to Chennai and its fans. But sentiment rarely outweighs the IPL’s ruthless performance cycles.
Franchise Reset Underway
Reports from Gulf News suggest CSK’s management has already begun a strategic overhaul. The aim: inject fresh energy through younger domestic spinners and multi-role overseas players. The decision to part with Ashwin mirrors their release of Ben Stokes the previous year big names sacrificed for long-term squad balance.
For the franchise, this is about reshaping identity in the post-M.S. Dhoni era. For Ashwin, it’s about finding his place in a league that’s increasingly defined by aggressive T20 specialists. While his cricketing intelligence remains unmatched, he may need to adapt to a mentor-cum-player role if another franchise comes calling.
From Local Hero To Transfer Prospect
Ashwin’s CSK journey began in 2009. Within two years, he was instrumental in the team’s 2010 and 2011 IPL title runs, outfoxing world-class batters and thriving under Dhoni’s captaincy. His return to CSK in 2023 was framed as a homecoming, but three seasons later, the league’s pace has changed. Loyalty is cherished, but results drive retention.
Franchises in need of an experienced spin anchor especially those with young attacks could find value in Ashwin. His tactical mind and big-game composure still make him a prized auction option.
Kohli’s London Grind For ODI Return
While CSK prepare for life without Ashwin, Virat Kohli is on a different path working his way back into the ODI squad ahead of the Australia series from October 19 to 25. Training in London, Kohli has been fine-tuning his batting in an indoor net session with Naeem Amin, assistant coach of Gujarat Titans.
In a brief Instagram post, Kohli thanked Amin: “Thanks for helping out with the hit, brother.” The drills, according to India Today, focused on strike rotation, quick singles, and boundary placement skills central to his ODI success.
The 36-year-old last played an ODI earlier this year and is targeting this series as a full-fledged comeback, with selectors keen to pair him alongside emerging top-order talent.
Two Legends, Diverging Journeys
Ashwin and Kohli’s stories this season could not be more different one moving towards an uncertain IPL future, the other gearing up for a national comeback. Both are veterans who have shaped Indian cricket for over a decade, but now face the sport’s toughest demand: staying relevant when the next generation is already knocking.
The IPL 2026 auction will determine if Ashwin’s yellow jersey days are truly over. And in just over two months, Australia will test whether Kohli’s London grind has restored the sharpness that made him India’s ODI backbone.
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- Prakash Nairhttps://hindustanherald.in/authors/prakash/
- Prakash Nairhttps://hindustanherald.in/authors/prakash/
