On his YouTube channel, Ashwin shared that he decided to retire to spare CSK the difficulty of having to release him from the team, given his substantial fee of ₹9.75 crore.
“…I just had a frustrating season with CSK; it was personally disappointing for me. To be honest, I thought I could have contributed more, but I stepped away because emotionally, I just couldn’t manage everything at once,” Ashwin stated.
Last season, Ashwin participated in only nine out of the 14 matches CSK played, managing just seven wickets and 33 runs.
Currently, he is involved in commentary across various languages for the official broadcaster.
“I prefer not to revisit that time; it was mentally distressing and very painful for me. I discussed it briefly, then concluded that I started in Chennai and I am finishing in my hometown, which is fine.
“I chose to retire to alleviate them from the burden of deciding whether to keep me or let me go. They also saved ₹10 crore in their budget by my retirement,” he mentioned.
Ashwin pointed out that the team had the opportunity to build a strong lineup with the available funds in their auction purse.
“They could have acquired quality players in the mini auction and assembled a formidable team. So, I felt let down. I had expectations and hopes,” Ashwin expressed.
CSK discovered the talent of the retired bowler in 2009, and he played a crucial role in their championship victories in 2010 and 2011. He later played for the Rising Pune Supergiants (RPSG), Punjab Kings (PBKS), Delhi Capitals (DC), and Rajasthan Royals (RR), before returning to CSK for 2025, marking the conclusion of his IPL playing career.
