Chennai, August 27: Veteran former Indian spinner Ravichandran Ashwin announced his retirement from the Indian Premier League (IPL) on Wednesday. The 37-year-old made the announcement through social media, ending a remarkable journey in the cash-rich league that spanned 221 matches.
In these 221 IPL games, the veteran off-spinner spinner scalped 187 wickets, finishing as the fifth-highest wicket-taker in tournament history. He is behind Yuzvendra Chahal, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Sunil Narine and Piyush Chawla. Ashwin also contributed with the bat when his franchise demanded as he amassed 833 runs, including a half-century.
“Special day and hence a special beginning. They say every ending will have a new start, 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. Would like to thank all the franchisees for all the wonderful memories and relationships over the years and most importantly the IPL and the BCCI for what they have given me until now,” Ashwin said in a statement on Wednesday.
“Look forward to enjoying and making the most of what’s ahead of me,” he added.
His final season came with five-time champions Chennai Super Kings, where he bagged seven wickets and scored 33 runs in nine matches.
Since making his debut in the league, Ashwin represented five teams – CSK, Rising Pune Supergiants, Punjab Kings (as captain), Delhi Capitals, and Rajasthan Royals.
Now that his IPL career is over, Ashwin is free to explore opportunities in overseas T20 leagues such as the BBL, The Hundred, SA20, and CPL. Earlier this year, wicketkeeper-batter Dinesh Karthik became the first Indian to play in the SA20.
Ashwin already features for Dindigul Dragons in the Tamil Nadu Premier League and could soon be seen in other international competitions.
