Star player requests CSK to release him ahead of IPL 2026

When Indian Cements signed Ravichandran Ashwin last year before the mega auction, it was an indication of the veteran off-spinner’s return to the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai. The management and the spinner were incredibly happy with the decision, but things certainly didn’t go as planned after the home boy struggled to find control in most games in the last season.

The recent reports have revealed that Ashwin’s separation is not clear, but the veteran seems to have reached out to the management to ask them to avoid retention of the all-rounder. Some of the top CSK officials, including the current and former leaders, MS Dhoni and Ruturaj Gaikwad, met in Chennai over the last few days. There could be a formal discussion for the coming edition.

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The spinner, who retired from international cricket after the third Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 at the Gabba, has picked up 187 wickets in 217 innings at an average of 30.22 and an economy rate of over seven at the best bowling figure of 4/34 in an inning.

Ravichandran Ashwin requests CSK to release him ahead of IPL 2026

The right-arm pacer, in the last season, bagged just seven wickets in nine innings at an average of over 40 with an economy rate of more than nine. Even in 2024, the Chennai-born cracked nine scalps in 14 innings of IPL at an average of more than 51 and an economy rate of 8.49, playing for the Rajasthan Royals.

In what seems to be a huge step, the Cricbuzz reports have claimed that Ashwin could get the new role of Director of Operations at the CSK Academy, a position that he has held for the past year. But if he joins another team, then this role could come into question, having stretched his role with the Super Kings.

Ashwin went into the five-time champions for a price of INR 9.75 crore. Between 2016 and 2024, he turned out for the Delhi Capitals, Punjab Kings, Rajasthan, and Chennai. Apart from this, it has also been informed that Sanju Samson has requested the Royals to release him before the IPL 2026 as he wants to enter the mini auction.