A retired cricketer watching his former team lose three straight matches and admitting he still had cricket left in him. That is the painful reality Ravichandran Ashwin shared on his YouTube channel after watching Chennai Super Kings get dismantled by Royal Challengers Bengaluru on Sunday.
The former India off spinner called his final season at CSK “disappointing and mentally painful” and revealed he chose to walk away not because his body gave up but because his mind could not take it anymore. His words carry extra weight now as CSK sit at the bottom of the IPL 2026 table with zero wins from three matches.
Why Did R Ashwin Retire From IPL After CSK’s 2025 Season
Ashwin did not hold back while explaining his decision. He confirmed he had the ability to continue playing but lacked the emotional bandwidth to carry on. When pressed for details about what went wrong last season, Ashwin refused to elaborate fully. He called the experience mentally disturbing and said he does not want to revisit it.
He revealed that retiring was partly a selfless decision. Ashwin said he chose to walk away so the CSK management would not face the dilemma of retaining or releasing him. He noted his departure also saved the franchise Rs 10 crore. Despite making the call himself, the frustration clearly lingers.
Ashwin Slams CSK’s Handling of Young Players and Bowling Tactics
Ashwin did not stop at his own story. He took aim at how CSK are managing their young squad this season. He questioned whether the franchise is providing enough practice intensity and the right atmosphere for development.
His sharpest criticism targeted the bowling plans. Ashwin called out the decision to make Jamie Overton bowl wide yorkers from around the stumps, saying it does not suit his strengths. He pointed out that SA20 footage clearly shows Overton is not effective bowling yorkers. He also questioned a similar approach with Anshul Kamboj, noting that Tim David punished both bowlers heavily.
CSK’s Nightmare Start to IPL 2026
| Match | Opponent | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Match 3 | Rajasthan Royals | Lost by 8 wickets |
| Match 7 | Punjab Kings | Lost |
| Match 11 | Royal Challengers Bengaluru | Lost |
CSK entered IPL 2026 with a completely revamped squad built around young talent. However, three consecutive defeats have exposed cracks in both batting and bowling departments. The absence of MS Dhoni due to a calf injury has left a massive leadership void on the field.
Ashwin admitted he picked RCB to win the latest match but had hoped CSK would build on improvements shown in their previous game. Instead, RCB delivered a dominant performance that he said should serve as a warning to every team in the tournament.
