Indian veteran Ravichandran Ashwin has spoken about his decision to retire from international cricket after the third Test against Australia. Ravichandran Ashwin also spoke about his future with Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and revealed his plans for the IPL.
Ashwin surprised many by announcing his retirement from international cricket on December 18. Following the announcement, the 38-year-old has decided not to stick with the Indian team for the remaining two Tests of the ongoing series. He returned to India and arrived in Chennai less than a day later.
It is a great sense of relief and satisfaction – Ravichandran Ashwin
Ashwin received a warm welcome from his family and friends on arrival in Chennai. Speaking to news agency ANI, Ashwin admitted that he decided to retire on Day 4 of the Gabba Test match and called it up on Day 5. He described his decision as a great sense of relief and satisfaction.
“It's not. It's emotional for a lot of people. It's going to be emotional, maybe it's going to sink in. But for me, it's a great sense of relief and satisfaction… It's been in my head for a while, but it was very instinctive, I felt -it on day 4 and I called it on day 5…,” Ashwin said.
There were no rumors of Ashwin's retirement until Virat Kohli was seen sharing an emotional hug with him in the Indian dressing room on Day 5. Ashwin then joined captain Rohit Sharma at the post-match press conference to announce his retirement. Ashwin ended his career with 765 international wickets.
I will play for CSK and don't be surprised – Ravichandran Ashwin
Ashwin will rejoin Chennai Super Kings for IPL 2025 after being picked up in the Jeddah mega auction. The spinner has stated that he wants to extend his career as a cricketer as long as possible. Ashwin emphasized that he is not done playing and will continue his career in the IPL.
“I will play for CSK and don't be surprised if I try and aspire to play as much as I can. I don't think Ashwin the cricketer is done, I think Ashwin the Indian cricketer has probably called time. That's it, Ashwin added.
Ashwin was bought by Chennai Super Kings for Rs. 9.75 crore in the IPL 2025 auction. He will return to the Super Kings for the first time since 2015. Ashwin made his IPL debut with CSK in 2009 under the captaincy of MS Dhoni.
I don't want to live my life like this – Ravichandran Ashwin
When asked about not captaining the senior national team during his career, Ashwin humorously replied, “I can't anymore. It's done”. Ashwin added that he has no regrets, stating that he prefers not to live his life that way.
“I can't anymore. It's over. No, I have zero regrets. I've seen so many people with regrets from afar, but I don't want to live my life like that,” Ashwin quipped when asked about the captaincy.