During the 2024-2025 Border-Gavaskar series, Ravichandran Ashwin said he was done with international cricket. But then, after the five-time champions picked him up for INR 9.75 crore, he played for Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in the next Indian Premier League (IPL) season.
Then, on Wednesday, August 27, he went on ‘X’ (Twitter) to say he was retiring from the IPL too. He said he wants to play in leagues overseas. Just so you know, the BCCI doesn’t let its players play in other countries unless they quit Indian cricket. Now that Ashwin’s done with Indian cricket, he can play in any league he wants.
Aakash Chopra, who used to open for India, says Ashwin is trying something new by giving up that INR 9.75 crore IPL deal. “Ravichandran Ashwin has said goodbye to the IPL, and now says he’s off to play in leagues all over the world. He’s making his own path. He had a great IPL run, but everything ends, and this is it for him. Does this mean other Indian players can also play in other leagues?” Chopra wondered on his YouTube channel.
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Chopra thinks Ashwin will get picked in any league, but other players might have a harder time because of the BCCI’s rule. “Wherever he wants to play, he’ll get picked and do great. Indian players can’t play in other leagues to keep the IPL special. If you want to play somewhere else, you have to retire from both international cricket and the IPL, which is a pretty big deal. You can only go play somewhere else if you give up that IPL money,” he added.
Chopra, who used to play for Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), thinks only some Indian cricketers would be brave enough to retire from the IPL, even with a sweet contract. “There aren’t many players like that. Ravichandran Ashwin is doing something really different. He’s making his own story by walking away from a Rs. 9.75 crore contract. Not everyone can do that. If someone is bought for cheap, nobody else wants them. If they’re making good money here, why would they leave?” the former India opener said.
Chopra also praised Ashwin’s career. “Let’s give it up for Ravichandran Ashwin. Stats aside, he’s done some incredible things. His action is super clean, no doosra, but he’s always been a great bowler. This format is really tough for a finger spinner. He’s been amazing, always thinking one step ahead of the batter. Seems like he never bowls the same ball twice,” he said.
