Ravichandran Ashwin benched by CSK due to fight with someone? India legend drops bombshell theory

Former India spinner Harbhajan Singh criticized Chennai Super Kings (CSK) for leaving Ravichandran Ashwin out of their playing XI during the IPL 2025 match against Punjab Kings (PBKS). Harbhajan also stated that CSK didn't pick their squad based on conditions at the MA Chidambaram Stadium on April 30.

The Super Kings lost to Punjab Kings by four wickets at their home ground. Ravichandran Ashwin was bought for ₹9.75 crores during the IPL mega auction. However, the veteran all-rounder has not been given enough opportunities, as he has played in only seven matches so far this season, taking five wickets.

Don’t Know Why Ravichandran Ashwin Is Not Playing - Harbhajan Singh

Harbhajan Singh added that if Ravichandran Ashwin, along with Noor Ahmad and Ravindra Jadeja, had been included, CSK might have had a better chance of winning. He also questioned why Ashwin was bought for ₹10 crore.

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“Chennai didn’t select the team based on conditions. Had Noor Ahmad, Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja played together against Punjab Kings, Chennai Super Kings could have won the match. You didn’t pay INR 10 crore for Ashwin to bench him. I don’t know why he is not playing, but it seems he might have fought with someone,” Harbhajan was quoted as saying by Hindustan Times.

Whether They Retain Ravichandran Ashwin or Not - Sanjay Bangar

Former Indian cricketer Sanjay Bangar said that Chennai Super Kings may consider releasing Ravichandran Ashwin after the IPL 2025 season. Bangar also added that, alongside Ashwin, Matheesha Pathirana might be released by CSK, depending on their plans for next season.

“Whether they retain Ashwin or not is going to be another big question because that's where the money is locked in. So, probably out of those big-ticket players, those are the two players (Ashwin and Pathirana) that they might just think of whether they want to keep them or maybe find a replacement for them,” he said.

CSK Become First Team to Be Eliminated from IPL 2025

CSK have become the first team to be knocked out of the IPL 2025 playoff race following their defeat to PBKS. After starting the season with a win over Mumbai Indians (MI), CSK lost five straight matches and managed only one more victory, against Lucknow Super Giants (LSG), before suffering three more losses.

With just two wins from ten matches and only four points, the five-time champions are at the bottom of the points table. They can no longer reach the minimum points required to stay in playoff contention.

They will now play their remaining four games for pride. CSK will lock horns with Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) at the Chinnaswamy Stadium on May 3. Notably, CSK have now failed to qualify for the playoffs in four of the last six seasons since 2020.

CSK will travel to face Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) on May 7, followed by their final home game of the season against Rajasthan Royals (RR) on May 12. They will wrap up their IPL 2025 campaign with a clash against the Gujarat Titans (GT) on May 18 in Ahmedabad.

Also read: Vignesh Puthur ruled out of IPL 2025 for Mumbai Indians; replacement picked