Desk Reports :
Retirement on social media has become a ‘trend’ in recent times. Tamim Iqbal, Mushfiqur Rahim, Mahmudullah Riyad, Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma have announced their retirement in various editions in the recent past. Why should Ravichandran Ashwin also be left out? India’s star spinner has also kept up with this trend.
Ashwin retired from the IPL this morning on social media. In an announcement made on his official X handle, the Indian star spinner said that he will now spend his time doing exploratory work in various leagues. By leaving the IPL, Ashwin has now got the opportunity to play in various franchise leagues outside Bangladesh Premier League (BPL), Pakistan Super League (PSL), Big Bash League and others. This is because the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has strict instructions that cricketers playing in the IPL cannot play in any franchise league outside India.
After retiring from international cricket last year, Ashwin has become largely free. There is no cricketing activity in bidding farewell to the IPL today. The suggestive comments he made while bidding farewell to the Indian franchise tournament showed that the Indian star spinner is interested in playing in foreign leagues. The opportunity to play in the BPL-PSL has been created. But will he be able to play if he wants to? There are many ‘ifs and buts’ here. The relationship between the two neighboring countries of Bangladesh and India is now at a low ebb. If the recent events do not escape his attention, then Ashwin is not supposed to register his name for the BPL. The players’ draft is supposed to be held in October after the team selection in August. One thing can also be thought of in another way. It is assumed that Ashwin registered his name during the team selection in October. Considering the reality, there is a high possibility that no franchise will take this Indian spinner. For example, the Indian cricket team’s tour of Bangladesh can also be postponed. India was supposed to play three ODIs and three T20Is during the Bangladesh tour in August. But the BCCI postponed it to September 2026. On the other hand, it is impossible for Ashwin to play in the PSL. In April this year, India and Pakistan were embroiled in a state-level conflict over the killing of tourists by gunmen in Pahelgam, Indian-controlled Kashmir. Cricket relations between the two countries have also deteriorated. Even after the ceasefire, there is a warlike attitude between India and Pakistan. Even though the two teams are in the same group in the Asia Cup, arguments are going on.
Among Indian stars, Dinesh Karthik has a precedent of playing in a foreign franchise league. He played for Pearl Royals in South Africa’s SA Twenty20 League in 2025. Karthik has no obstacles in playing in a foreign franchise league as he retired from all forms of cricket in June last year. Although Ashwin’s chances of playing BPL, PSL are low, he can play in Big Bash, Vitality Blast, SA Twenty20.
In his 16-year IPL career from 2009 to 2025, Ashwin took 187 wickets at an economy of 7.20 in 221 matches. Although he did not get much opportunity to bat, he tried to make the most of what he got. He scored 833 runs in 98 innings at an average of 13.01 and a strike rate of 118.15. He also scored a fifty in this franchise tournament of India. Chennai Super Kings, Delhi Capitals, Kings XI Punjab, Rajasthan Royals, Rising Supergiants – he played for these five franchises in his one and a half decade IPL career. After playing IPL for one and a half decades, Ashwin thanked various franchises and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on his farewell.
