With retention negotiations in progress prior to the IPL 2026 mini auction, veteran Indian off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin‘s future with the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) has drawn a lot of interest. Ashwin has reportedly asked the team for clarification on their plans for using him in the forthcoming season. According to reports, the 37-year-old warned CSK that if he didn’t fit into their long-term plans, he would be willing to leave.
After almost ten years, Ashwin returned to his home team as he was purchased by CSK for an incredible INR 9.75 crore at the IPL 2025 mega auction. But things did not go as planned during his comeback season. The off-spinner participated in just nine of CSK’s fourteen league games, which is the fewest IPL games he has appeared in since his 2009 debut. Additionally, Ashwin beat his previous best economy rate of 8.49 to record his highest economy rate in the tournament’s history, 9.12. Ashwin raises the prospect of a trade.
Ashwin raises the prospect of a trade.
The retention deadline will be determined by the date of the IPL 2026 auction, which has not yet been finalised. A minor auction is held every year between November and February, while the mega sale takes place every three years. CSK and Ashwin still have time to choose their next course of action because the player trade window is open until one week before to the auction.
In a recent conversation with Sanju Samson on his YouTube channel, Ashwin himself alluded to the potential of a move. In order to prevent any possible conflicts of interest, he would also have to resign from his position as Director of Operations at the CSK Academy if he were to leave the squad.
With MS Dhoni replacing Ruturaj Gaikwad in the middle of the 2025 season due to the latter’s injury, captaincy is a hot topic at the moment. Gaikwad is anticipated to take the lead if available, but Dhoni’s future won’t likely be decided until after his preseason training. It is thought that both leadership and player retention plans were discussed during senior management’s recent internal strategy meetings in Chennai, which included Dhoni and Gaikwad. With 833 runs at a strike rate of 118 and 187 wickets at a career economy of 7.29 in 221 IPL games, the off-spinner is among the league’s most successful bowlers.
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