On Wednesday, August 27, 2025, Indian cricket witnessed the closing of another glorious chapter. Veteran off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin, aged 38, officially announced his retirement from the Indian Premier League (IPL). For fans of Chennai Super Kings, and indeed for Indian cricket lovers everywhere, it marked the end of an era that spanned 16 unforgettable seasons.
Ashwin’s journey in the IPL, which began in 2009 with the Chennai Super Kings (CSK), fittingly concluded with the same franchise in 2025. From being a young spinner looking to prove himself under MS Dhoni’s leadership to becoming one of the sharpest cricketing minds of his generation, Ashwin’s IPL career has been nothing short of remarkable.
He leaves behind numbers that cement his status as a modern great:
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221 matches
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187 wickets
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Economy rate hovering around 7.35
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833 runs with the bat, often valuable lower-order contributions
But beyond statistics, Ashwin’s story is also one of reinvention, tactical mastery, and financial success. His retirement opens a new phase in his life—possibly in overseas T20 leagues, commentary, or as a media entrepreneur.
This feature takes a detailed look at Ashwin’s IPL journey, career earnings, endorsements, luxury assets, and the financial empire he built alongside his cricketing legacy.
From Chennai Streets to IPL Stardom
Born in West Mambalam, Chennai, Ashwin was a cricket lover long before he was a cricketing icon. He began as a top-order batter before shifting to off-spin in his teenage years—a move that changed his life forever.
By the time the IPL came calling in 2009, Ashwin was still relatively unknown outside Tamil Nadu cricketing circles. CSK took a chance, signing him for a modest ₹12 lakh contract. Few could have predicted that this soft-spoken engineer-turned-cricketer would go on to become one of the most cerebral spinners in the world.
His breakthrough moment came in 2010 and 2011, when Dhoni trusted him to bowl with the new ball in high-pressure games. His spell against Chris Gayle in the 2011 IPL final—where he dismissed the dangerous opener early—remains etched in CSK folklore. From there, Ashwin’s stature only grew, both in IPL and international cricket.
The Numbers That Tell the Story
Ashwin’s IPL career spanned four franchises:
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Chennai Super Kings (2009–2015, 2025)
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Rising Pune Supergiant (2016–2017)
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Kings XI Punjab / Punjab Kings (2018–2019)
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Delhi Capitals (2020–2021)
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Rajasthan Royals (2022–2024)
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Return to CSK in 2025
Over the years, he became synonymous with variation and guile—the carrom ball, the floater, the clever changes of pace. Unlike many spinners who feared bowling in powerplays, Ashwin relished it.
By the time he hung up his IPL boots, he was ranked among the top 10 wicket-takers in IPL history, his 187 wickets a testament to his longevity. His final season with CSK in 2025 was symbolic, closing the circle where it all began.
The Financial Side of Ashwin’s Journey
While his cricketing legacy is unquestionable, Ashwin’s career also highlights the financial opportunities modern cricketers enjoy. Through IPL contracts, BCCI central deals, endorsements, and investments, Ashwin built an estimated net worth of ₹117–132 crore ($14–16 million).
Here’s a breakdown of how he did it:
1. IPL Salary Earnings
The IPL was Ashwin’s biggest financial engine outside of international cricket.
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2009 (CSK debut): ₹12 lakh contract
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Peak contract (2025, CSK): ₹9.75 crore — the highest salary of his IPL career
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Cumulative IPL salary over 16 seasons: ~₹97.24 crore
From his early days as a budget spinner to becoming a marquee player at auctions, Ashwin’s IPL story mirrors the financial growth of the league itself.
2. BCCI Central Contracts
For over a decade, Ashwin was a mainstay in the Indian Test side. Before his retirement from international cricket in December 2024, he was in Grade A of the BCCI central contract, earning an annual retainer of ₹5 crore.
Match fees added to this:
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₹15 lakh per Test
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₹6 lakh per ODI
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₹3 lakh per T20I
Given his dominance in Tests, especially in India, match fees contributed significantly to his yearly income.
3. Brand Endorsements
Ashwin’s appeal extended beyond the pitch. Unlike flamboyant stars, he positioned himself as a thinking cricketer, which made him relatable to brands targeting middle-class India as well as premium audiences.
He reportedly charges ₹4.5–5 crore per endorsement deal. His portfolio includes:
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Myntra
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Oppo
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Dream11
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Bombay Shaving Company
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Aristocrat Bags
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Specsmakers
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Zoomcar
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Manna Foods
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Coco Studio Tamil
Together, these endorsements contribute an estimated ₹20–25 crore annually to his income.
4. Media Ventures
Ashwin was among the first Indian cricketers to actively embrace digital media.
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His YouTube channel (over 1.75M subscribers) has become a hub for cricket analysis, interviews, and tactical breakdowns. With advertising revenue, sponsorships, and collaborations, the channel generates steady income.
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His media company, “Carrom Balls Media,” produces sports content and branded projects, diversifying his income streams further.
Ashwin’s Luxury Assets and Lifestyle
With wealth came the lifestyle upgrades—but in Ashwin’s case, they reflect tasteful investment more than flashy spending.
Real Estate
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Primary Residence: A lavish home in West Mambalam, Chennai, valued at ₹9 crore, where he lives with his wife and two daughters.
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Other Investments: Multiple real estate properties across India and abroad, totaling ~₹26 crore in value.
Cars
Ashwin’s garage features both elegance and muscle:
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Rolls-Royce (₹6 crore)
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Audi Q7 (₹93 lakh)
Together, they signal understated luxury rather than flamboyant extravagance.
The Legacy: Beyond Numbers and Net Worth
For all his wickets and financial success, Ashwin’s true legacy lies elsewhere.
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The Thinker’s Cricketer
Ashwin was never just about skill. He was about ideas—experimenting with deliveries, outsmarting batters, and even influencing cricketing law (remember the “Mankad” debates?). -
Champion of Tests, Master of T20s
Though celebrated as India’s Test giant, his IPL career showed he could adapt to the shortest format with equal brilliance. -
Mentor and Innovator
Younger spinners like Washington Sundar and Varun Chakravarthy often credit Ashwin for guidance. His presence in dressing rooms was as much about strategy as it was about wickets.
Life After Retirement: What Next for Ashwin?
With his IPL career now done, Ashwin’s options remain vast:
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Overseas T20 Leagues: Retirement from IPL opens the door for him to participate in leagues like The Hundred, SA20, or CPL.
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Media Personality: His YouTube channel and media company are thriving. Expect Ashwin to become one of India’s most prominent cricket voices.
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Coaching/Consultancy: Given his tactical acumen, he could easily step into coaching or cricket consultancy roles.
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Author/Thinker: Known for his articulate interviews, a book on his cricketing philosophy seems inevitable.
A Farewell to Remember
Ravichandran Ashwin’s IPL retirement closes one of the league’s most fascinating stories. From a ₹12 lakh rookie in 2009 to a ₹9.75 crore stalwart in 2025, he epitomized growth, reinvention, and staying power. His 187 wickets make him a legend of the tournament, while his financial empire reflects the modern cricketer’s ability to leverage fame into long-term security.
As he moves into life beyond the IPL, Ashwin carries with him a reputation that few can match: a master bowler, a sharp thinker, a mentor, and a self-made success.
Indian cricket may have bid farewell to him on the field, but off it, Ravichandran Ashwin is only just getting started.
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