Ravichandran Ashwin's CSK stint over as IPL-winning coach orders his release from squad
Published - 20 May 2025, 07:30 PM | Updated - 20 May 2025, 07:31 PM
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Former Sunrisers Hyderabad coach Tom Moody advised the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) to release Ravichandran Ashwin before IPL 2026 to save some funds for the mini-auction.
CSK’s performance wasn’t great in this edition of the IPL, and they bought the hometown player Ravichandran Ashwin for a whopping price of INR 9.75 crore.
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Tom Moody urges CSK to increase their purse before IPL 2026
Ravichandran Ashwin failed to perform in the IPL 2025. Ashwin was also benched for some matches because of his performance.
CSK are running the risk of finishing as wooden spooners for the first time in the IPL. The price tag of Ashwin was also sky high to perform in every match.
"I understand the philosophy behind CSK going for Ashwin because, at the end of the day, they have always gone for proven and mature players and that philosophy has worked for them over the duration of the IPL. But if you need to release funds, the obvious one would be Ashwin,” Moody said on ESPNcricinfo.
After some matches, Ashwin was also not starting in the playing XI. Ashwin was benched in some matches and played as an impact player in some matches.
"He went for close to 10 crores in the auction, and that's a lot of money for someone who’s not guaranteed a place in the XI. So that maybe a hard conversation that the management will have to have with him,” Moody added.
Moody also suggested that, if Ashwin went to the auction table again, then CSK might get a chance to acquire him again for less money.
Ravichandran Ashwin’s performance in IPL 2025
Ravichandran Ashwin only managed to score 20 runs in this edition of the IPL with an average of just 6.67. Ashwin’s strike rate was also under 100.
In the bowling department, Ashwin has only picked five wickets in eight matches so far in the IPL. CSK bought him as a front-line spinner, and they played six matches on a spin-friendly pitch at Chepauk, but Ashwin’s performance is under-par in this edition of the IPL.
CSK need to buy players in the mini auction
Before IPL 2026, there will be a mini auction, and with the current CSK squad, they need to make the most of it and make more funds available. CSK have to release Ashwin, who is a very expensive player.
CSK signed three players in mid-season, and all three are performing well in the IPL 2025. The experienced players of CSK haven't performed at all in this edition of the IPL.
CSK have two games left in the IPL 2025 to check their bench strength in the remaining matches.
