Ravichandran Ashwin Retirement: Revisiting His 5 Best Spells In The Indian Premier League (IPL)

The Indian Premier League (IPL) has always been about more than just runs and wickets. It’s been about innovation, pressure, personalities, and the unique ability of players to rise in crunch moments. Among those who best embodied this spirit was Ravichandran Ashwin — the Chennai-born off-spinner who reinvented the art of spin bowling and redefined what it meant to be a thinking cricketer in the world’s toughest T20 league.

On August 27, 2025, the IPL witnessed a seismic moment. Following his retirement from international cricket in December 2024, Ashwin announced his retirement from the tournament as well, bringing an end to a 16-season career that was as decorated as it was influential. For fans, teammates, and opponents alike, this marks the end of an era.

The Thinker in a League of Hitters

The IPL, from its inception in 2008, has been dominated by stories of big-hitting batsmen and fast-bowling enforcers. Yet, amidst the glitz of sixes and express deliveries, Ashwin carved his place by relying on his mind as much as his skill. He wasn’t just bowling off-spin; he was engaging in a tactical duel with the batsmen every ball.

From his early days with Chennai Super Kings (CSK) under the mentorship of MS Dhoni, Ashwin emerged as a cricketer who thrived in high-pressure situations. Whether it was dismantling batting giants, delivering miserly spells in powerplays, or stepping up in crunch finals, Ashwin became Dhoni’s go-to man. His 187 wickets in 220 matches don’t just speak of quantity but of quality at critical junctures.

His IPL career also spanned leadership and reinvention. As captain of Kings XI Punjab (now Punjab Kings), he showcased his willingness to experiment tactically. Later, with Rajasthan Royals, he demonstrated his maturity, contributing not just with the ball but also as a mentor to younger players.

And then, in a poetic full circle, Ashwin finished where it all began — donning the yellow jersey of CSK in 2025.

A Record Etched in Gold

Ashwin’s numbers in the IPL are remarkable:

Matches: 220
Wickets: 187
Best Figures: 4/34
Economy Rate: consistently under 7.5 (impressive in T20s)
Runs Scored: 833, including a memorable half-century for Rajasthan Royals.

But the numbers tell only half the story. Ashwin’s real legacy lies in his constant innovation: the carrom ball, the disguised arm ball, and even his tactical use of the “Mankad” run-out (a form of dismissal that sparked debate but highlighted his adherence to the laws of the game). He forced batsmen to think, and often, to second-guess themselves.

Ashwin’s Top Five IPL Spells: Masterclasses in Pressure and Precision

While Ashwin’s career was filled with consistent brilliance, there are a few spells that stand out as defining moments of his IPL journey.

1. 3/16 vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru (IPL Final 2011)

The 2011 IPL Final remains one of Ashwin’s crowning achievements. Up against a rampant Royal Challengers Bengaluru side powered by Chris Gayle, Ashwin opened the bowling in front of a packed crowd.

Gayle, the tournament’s leading run-scorer, was dismissed for a duck by Ashwin’s clever off-spin. From there, he completely dismantled RCB’s chase, returning figures of 3/16 in four overs.

That spell didn’t just win CSK their second consecutive title — it established Ashwin as a big-match bowler. Few players could say they dismissed Gayle cheaply in his prime, and Ashwin did it on the biggest stage of all.

2. 4/34 vs Kings XI Punjab (2016, Rising Pune Supergiants)

The 2016 season was a transitional one for Ashwin, who had been drafted into the Rising Pune Supergiants during CSK’s suspension. Though the team struggled overall, Ashwin produced one of his most devastating spells against Punjab.

His 4/34 ripped through the opposition middle order. Using flight, dip, and subtle changes of pace, he strangled Punjab’s scoring options and forced rash strokes. It was vintage Ashwin: smart, precise, and ruthless.

While the spell didn’t come in a final, it was a reminder that no matter which franchise he represented, Ashwin could be the match-winner.

3. 2/19 vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru (2024, Rajasthan Royals)

Fast forward to 2024, and Ashwin, now in the twilight of his career, was still delivering in high-pressure knockout games. Playing for Rajasthan Royals, he bowled a spell of 2/19 in a crunch eliminator against RCB.

On a batting-friendly surface, Ashwin’s control was extraordinary. He tied down RCB’s middle order, dismissing two set batsmen and conceding barely a run a ball. That spell turned the match in Royals’ favour and showcased Ashwin’s enduring value as a big-game performer, even at 37 years of age.

4. 3/23 vs Chennai Super Kings (2019, Kings XI Punjab)

If there was one spell that carried extra emotional weight, it was Ashwin’s 3/23 against CSK in 2019. By then, he was captaining Punjab and came up against his old franchise.

Bowling with guile and aggression, he dismantled CSK’s batting lineup, exploiting weaknesses he knew inside out. Every wicket was celebrated with passion, and his spell was a tactical masterclass that proved he wasn’t just a bowler but a strategist.

Though Punjab’s campaign that year was inconsistent, this match underlined Ashwin’s personal growth as a competitor unafraid to take on old allies.

5. 2/5 vs Kolkata Knight Riders (2015, CSK)

Sometimes brilliance isn’t about bags of wickets but about suffocating the opposition. In 2015, facing Kolkata Knight Riders, Ashwin produced one of his most miserly spells ever: 2 wickets for just 5 runs in 2 overs.

Defending a low total, CSK needed miracles. Ashwin delivered by striking twice early and conceding virtually nothing. His accuracy forced the KKR batters into errors, and CSK pulled off a stunning defense.

This performance was quintessential Ashwin — building pressure, manipulating batsmen’s minds, and using accuracy as a weapon.

Beyond the Wickets: The Captain, Mentor, and Innovator

Ashwin’s IPL career wasn’t confined to numbers or even match-winning spells. His stints as captain and senior pro reflected his cricketing intelligence.

At Kings XI Punjab, he wasn’t afraid to make bold decisions, such as experimenting with batting orders or bowling changes that left pundits scratching their heads. Some moves worked, some didn’t, but they always showcased his willingness to challenge conventional thinking.

At Rajasthan Royals, Ashwin became a mentor for younger players, guiding spinners like Yuzvendra Chahal and helping batters understand spin bowling better. His openness in sharing knowledge — even on his YouTube channel — made him one of the most approachable and respected senior pros in the league.

The Final Season and Farewell

In 2025, Ashwin returned to where it all began — Chennai Super Kings. Though no longer at his peak, his mere presence in the dressing room added gravitas. Younger spinners leaned on him for guidance, and Dhoni once again trusted his old lieutenant in crunch overs.

His final season wasn’t about personal milestones but about passing on knowledge and bowing out with dignity. And when he announced his retirement on August 27, it felt fitting that his IPL career both started and ended in CSK yellow.

The Man Who Redefined Spin in T20s

What sets Ashwin apart from many spinners of his era is his ability to adapt and innovate. In an age where batsmen grew increasingly fearless, he refused to be a victim. Instead, he expanded his arsenal, developing the carrom ball, bowling with scrambled seam, and even experimenting with leg-spin variations.

He wasn’t afraid of controversy either. His run-out of Jos Buttler in 2019 (via the “Mankad” law) sparked global debates about the spirit of cricket. But for Ashwin, it was simple: cricket had laws, and bowlers deserved fairness too. His stance divided opinion, but it also cemented his reputation as someone who thought deeply and stood firm.

The Legacy: More Than Just Numbers

Ashwin’s retirement leaves behind a void in the IPL — not just because of his wickets, but because of his presence as a thinker, competitor, and innovator. He wasn’t the loudest on the field, but his sharp brain often outmaneuvered the most destructive batsmen.

For fans, he gave memories of giant-killing spells. For teammates, he was the guiding hand. For opponents, he was the puzzle they could rarely solve.

And now, as he sets his sights on possible overseas T20 leagues and his growing digital media ventures, one thing is certain: Ravichandran Ashwin’s influence will extend far beyond the boundary ropes.

A Farewell Fit for a Mastermind

The IPL will move on, as it always does, discovering new heroes and witnessing fresh rivalries. But the departure of Ravichandran Ashwin closes a chapter of cricket that was as cerebral as it was competitive.

He leaves with two IPL titles, 187 wickets, unforgettable spells, and a reputation as one of the sharpest cricketing minds to ever grace the league. His journey was never about brute force — it was about brains, craft, and courage.

As the curtain falls on his IPL career, fans will remember him not just as a bowler, but as a game-changer, an innovator, and a true legend of the tournament.

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