Ashwin might not don CSK jersey next year

When R. Ashwin was bought by Chennai Super Kings (CSK) for ₹9.75 crore last year, many hoped that the homecoming of the city’s prodigious cricketer could revive some old magic from their first association between 2008 and 2015. Ashwin was part of CSK’s twin IPL and Champions League T20 titles during his first stint.

However, the five-time champion had a miserable run in this year’s IPL and finished last with just four wins. Now, as the IPL teams finalise their plans for the next season, there is a good chance that Ashwin might not don the yellow jersey next year.

The former India off-spinner featured in only nine matches this year and took seven wickets at an economy rate of 9.42.

It is now understood that Ashwin and the franchise had some discussions about his role, and the off-spinner could explore new avenues if he doesn’t feature in CSK’s plans, with a few other franchisees already expressing interest in his services.

CSK wanted to play to its strength of a strong spin attack and got Ashwin and Afghanistan left-arm wrist-spinner Noor Ahmad to form a potent attack alongside Ravindra Jadeja. However, shuffling three spinners proved challenging, and in the nine games, Ashwin completed his quota only on five occasions.

Even the Chepauk surface has not been spin-friendly in the last few years as it used to be, much to the annoyance of CSK head coach Stephen Fleming, who had expressed his frustrations at not having a decisive home advantage. It meant Ashwin just played in four games out of six at the MAC Stadium in Chennai.

In case the 38-year-old is either traded to another franchise or released into the auction pool, he might also have to leave his role as the head of Super Kings Academy’s High Performance Centre.