Ravichandran Ashwin MS Dhoni. Image Credits: AFP
Former Indian spinner Ravichandran Ashwin is all set to join IPL 2026 but in a different role. The ex-legend earlier retired from the league after playing the 2025 season with the 5-time champions, CSK.
Ashwin is an IPL veteran, having played 16 seasons for 5 different teams. He began his journey with CSK and later featured for RPS, PBKS, DC and RR.
However, in IPL 2025, he had a homecoming with CSK. That year, he took 7 wickets in 9 games and later called time on his playing career.
Ravichandran Ashwin to feature in IPL 2026
That being said, despite retirement, Ravichandran Ashwin is not entirely done with cricket. He will reportedly be joining the Hindi commentary panel with JioHotstar for the upcoming IPL 2026 season.
This will be Ashwin’s first major commentary stint since retirement. He has been an analyst and critic, but not a voice behind the mic. Hence, this new role of Ashwin is something the fans are excited to see.
Also, the commentary role makes sense for Ravichandran Ashwin due to his impeccable game knowledge. He is tactically strong and also knows the league inside and out.
In his IPL career, he played 221 games and picked up 187 wickets at an average of 30.22 and an economy of 7.20.
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Ashwin quit the IPL in 2025
Meanwhile, Ravichandran Ashwin decided to retire from the IPL last year after his final stint with CSK. He had already stepped away from international cricket in late 2024.
However, his IPL exit still comes as a major shock, especially with speculation linking him to a possible return to Rajasthan Royals ahead of the 2026 auction.
The primary reason behind Ashwin’s decision was his desire to explore overseas T20 leagues. Under BCCI rules, Indian players can only participate in foreign leagues after retiring from both international cricket and the IPL.
He later signed up for the ILT20 league and also the BBL. However, the BBL stint couldn’t materialise as the spinner got injured and was ruled out.
Regardless, Ashwin’s retirement was a big loss for the IPL. He was more than just a bowler. He was a strategist. From dominating powerplays with CSK to reinventing himself as a batting all-rounder later in his career, he consistently evolved.
The IPL 2026 opening ceremony has been cancelled
In a significant and emotional decision, the BCCI has cancelled the opening ceremony of the IPL 2026 season. The move comes as a mark of respect for the 11 lives lost during the tragic stampede outside M. Chinnaswamy Stadium on June 4, 2025, during RCB’s title celebrations.
BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia confirmed that the board wants to begin the season on a sombre and respectful note.
While the opening ceremony has been cancelled, fans won’t miss out entirely on the entertainment factor. A grand closing ceremony is planned, which will likely take place at the IPL 2026 final.
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