Former India spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has made a candid revelation about his decision to retire from the Indian Premier League, describing his final season as “mentally disturbing” and “painful.” His remarks come at a time when Chennai Super Kings are struggling in IPL 2026, having lost their first three matches and sitting at the bottom of the points table. Watching his former team’s struggles, Ashwin admitted that he could have continued playing but chose to step away due to mental exhaustion.

Speaking on his YouTube channel, Ashwin revealed that while he still had the ability to compete, he lacked the emotional bandwidth to continue. “Honestly, in my mind, I could have played more, but emotionally, I just did not have the bandwidth,” he said. Reflecting on his last season with CSK, Ashwin acknowledged that it was disappointing both for the team and on a personal level, which ultimately influenced his decision to retire from the league.

When asked to elaborate on the difficulties he faced, Ashwin chose not to revisit the details, stating that the experience remained too painful. “I don’t want to go there, it’s mentally disturbing. It was very painful for me,” he said. He added that his decision to retire was also taken to avoid putting the franchise in a difficult position regarding retention decisions and auction strategy. According to Ashwin, stepping away also helped the team save a significant amount in salary, reportedly around Rs 10 crore.

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Ashwin’s comments come amid CSK’s poor start to the current season, including a heavy defeat against Royal Challengers Bengaluru. Despite predicting an RCB victory, Ashwin admitted he had hoped CSK would show improvement based on their previous performances. However, he acknowledged that RCB’s dominant display served as a warning to other teams in the tournament.

The veteran off-spinner also raised concerns about CSK’s current strategy, particularly their reliance on young players without providing them adequate support. He stressed the importance of creating the right environment, including proper training intensity and match preparation, to help youngsters succeed at the highest level. His remarks reflect a broader concern about how the team is transitioning from its traditionally experience-driven approach to a youth-focused strategy.

Ashwin further criticised certain tactical decisions, especially the way bowlers are being utilised. He pointed out that players are being asked to execute skills outside their strengths, citing examples like forcing bowlers to deliver wide yorkers despite not being proficient in them. Referring to players like Anshul Kamboj and Jamie Overton, Ashwin suggested that such decisions are hurting the team’s overall performance, as opposition batters like Tim David have capitalised on these predictable strategies.

Despite the criticism and disappointing start, Ashwin believes there is still time for CSK to turn things around. However, he emphasised that the team must quickly reassess its tactics, utilise players according to their strengths, and build confidence among younger members. His honest reflections not only shed light on his personal struggles but also highlight the deeper issues currently affecting one of IPL’s most successful franchises.

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