Paying Ravichandran Ashwin Rs 9.75 crore to stand between CSK & IPL 2025 trophy?

The Chennai Super Kings (CSK) are undoubtedly the most consistent team in the Indian Premier League (IPL). Having played 15 seasons, they have managed to reach the playoffs a whopping 12 times. They have made the finals ten times and have pocketed five titles (joint most). No one would be shocked to see them win another one. But there is a good chance that CSK won’t get their hands on the IPL 2025 trophy.

Ashwin’s CSK journey

The reason behind their sentimental pick of Ravichandran Ashwin. The off-spinner had joined the franchise in 2009 and stayed there until 2015, reaching five finals and winning two titles. As a Chennai boy, it made sense he played for the Yellow Army. Unfortunately, he had to leave after CSK was suspended from 2016 to 2017. 

It’s been eight seasons since they returned to the IPL, and Ashwin hasn’t reunited with them since. That was until CSK paid a whopping Rs 9.75 crore for him on November 24. At 38, the IPL 2025 season could very well be Ashwin’s last and CSK might want to bid him adieu. But does that mean you pay him nearly 10 crore?

Splendid record

In his CSK years (2009 to 2015), Ashwin’s record was exceptional. Only once had his average gone over 30; since he’s left them, it’s been over 30 in six of the eight seasons. This has been the case for his economy and average as well, which have gone increased. He’s nowhere near his best and isn’t even among the top five Indian spinners at the moment. 

More on CSK

Massive overpaid for IPL 2025

Yet CSK paid Rs 9.75 crore to him. It might have worked had they not paid Rs 10 crore to Noor Ahmad. They had managed to build a brilliant top-order, but the lack of purse saw them bag Vijay Shankar and Vansh Bedi as two of the best middle-order batters. This has made their batting significantly weaker. You can’t trust MS Dhoni, Ravindra Jadeja, and Sam Curran to win your games.

They have got their spin covered at home, but what about other venues? They have paid a big sum for both Noor and Ashwin; this means they are inclined to play them. But what happens when CSK goes to M Chinnaswamy Stadium, for example? Will they play both of them along with Ravindra Jadeja? To pay someone 1/5 of your total purse left and them warming the bench clearly shows you went somewhere wrong. 

CSK squad for IPL 2025

Ruturaj Gaikwad, Ravindra Jadeja, Shivam Dube, Matheesha Pathirana ✈️, MS Dhoni, Devon Conway ✈️, Rahul Tripathi, Rachin Ravindra ✈️, Ravichandran Ashwin, Khaleel Ahmed, Noor Ahmad ✈️, Vijay Shankar, Sam Curran ✈️, Shaik Rasheed, Anshul Kamboj, Mukesh Choudhary, Deepak Hooda, Gurjapneet Singh, Nathan Ellis ✈️, Kamlesh Nagarkoti, Ramakrishna Ghosh, Shreyas Gopal, Vansh Bedi, Andre Siddharth, Jamie Overton ✈️