Ravichandran Ashwin called time on his illustrious India and IPL career recently, bringing down the curtains on a legendary career. Ashwin had retired from international cricket after playing in the Adelaide Test on the 2024-25 tour of Australia for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
He continued to play domestic cricket and was then picked by the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in the IPL 2025 mega auction. However, he had a poor IPL outing with seven wickets in nine games in the tournament. There were reports of CSK releasing him ahead of the IPL 2026 auction; therefore, R Ashwin decided to retire altogether from the IPL.
Ashwin played 221 games in the IPL and picked 187 wickets, ending as the fifth-highest wicket-taker in the league’s history. With that, let’s take a look at the top 5 IPL moments of R Ashwin.
Here are R Ashwin’s top 5 IPL moments:
1. Dismissing in-form Chris Gayle for 0 in the IPL 2011 final
R Ashwin had made his Indian Premier League debut for Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in IPL 2009. He formed a brilliant bowling combination with Muthiah Muralitharan and then Ravindra Jadeja. Ashwin became MS Dhoni’s go-to man when he needed big-name wickets, and one of the bunnies of R Ashwin was Chris Gayle.
One of the biggest instances of Ashwin dominating Gayle came in the final of the 2011 IPL in Chennai. CSK faced Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) and posted 205/5 batting first, with Michael Hussey making 63 and Murali Vijay making 95. RCB were in brilliant form, and Chris Gayle had made 608 runs in the tournament. But Dhoni brought Ashwin in the first over, and the off-spinner dismissed Gayle for a duck on the third ball to set the tone for CSK’s 58-run win and second consecutive IPL title.
2. Running Jos Buttler out at the non-striker’s end
R Ashwin was the captain of Kings XI Punjab (now the Punjab Kings) in IPL 2019, and his decision in the match against the Rajasthan Royals in Jaipur divided the cricketing world. The incident happened on March 25, when Rajasthan was chasing 185, and their star opener Jos Buttler was in full flow, scoring freely.
Ashwin did something that was widely debated with the lens of the spirit of cricket as he ran out Jos Buttler for backing up too far at the non-striker’s end. He noticed Buttler leaving his crease, and instead of bowling, halted in his tracks, turned back, and took off the bails. Buttler was declared run out by the third umpire, who verified that he had left his crease.
3. First-ever batter in IPL to be retired out
R Ashwin was used as a floating batter by Rajasthan Royals in IPL 2022. He often batted at no. 3 and scored some quick runs. During a match between RR and Lucknow Super Giants, RR batted first, and with 10 balls remaining in the innings, R Ashwin voluntarily retired out.
This helped RR bring in Riyan Parag, and RR hammered 30 runs in those 10 balls, putting up a good total. LSG fought bravely but fell short by three runs, showing how Ashwin retiring out, which seemed to be a contentious decision, proved beneficial for his team. This was the first time in the history of the IPL that a batter was retired out tactically.
4. Winning two IPL titles with CSK
Chennai Super Kings were the first team in Indian Premier League history to win consecutive titles. CSK won the tournament in 2010 and then defended the title in 2011. Since then, the Mumbai Indians replicated the feat by winning the IPL in 2019 and 2020, but CSK remains the first team to do so.
Ashwin played a huge role in both of CSK’s IPL wins. When CSK won their first championship in 2010, Ashwin claimed 13 wickets at an economy rate of 6.10. He completed the twin titles for CSK later in 2011 by taking 20 wickets at an economy rate of 6.15. In the final, Ashwin gave CSK a significant advantage by removing Chris Gayle for a duck in the opening over.
5. R Ashwin was the first captain to be traded in IPL
R Ashwin had captained Kings XI Punjab (KXIP) for two years in IPL 2018 and IPL 2019. However, he managed to win only 12 matches in total out of 28 he led, with six wins in each season. There were rumors of Ashwin being let go in the IPL 2020 auction, but everything changed ahead of the auction.
Anil Kumble had joined the Punjab franchise as team director, and despite Ashwin’s wish to be traded and the Delhi Capitals’ willingness to sign him, the ex-India captain was reluctant to let Ashwin go. Punjab wanted Trent Boult from the Delhi franchise, but the team was not ready for it. Finally, after a few weeks of negotiating, Ashwin became the first captain in IPL history to be traded. He was signed by Delhi Capitals in change of J Suchith and INR 1.50 crores.
Disclaimer: This Exclusive News is based on the author’s understanding, analysis, and instinct. As you review this information, consider the points mentioned and form your own conclusions.
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