Amid rumors that he may ask to be released from the Chennai Super Kings, senior Indian off-spinner R Ashwin is negotiating his future with the franchise.
According to reliable sources, Ashwin has discussed his future with the CSK brass with more than two months to go until the retention deadline.
“It is early stages to decide on any player’s future. The cut-off date for retention is yet to be announced. So we have time,” an IPL source told PTI.
“It’s a pre-auction plan to hold discussions with players and Ashwin, being a senior, is part of it. It is a mutual discussion to understand his role in the team ahead of next IPL season,” he added.
In the major auction held prior to the 2025 season, Ashwin, 38, who retired from international cricket previous year, was purchased for Rs 9.75 crore. For the Chennai-based player, who previously played for CSK from 2009 to 2015, it was a kind of homecoming.
Ashwin later represented the now-defunct Rising Pune Supergiant and went on to captain Kings XI Punjab (now Punjab Kings) in 2018. In the recently concluded season, he featured in nine matches, managing just seven wickets in what was a largely underwhelming campaign for the team, which finished fifth with seven wins and seven losses.
Due to his desire to quit his present squad, the Rajasthan Royals, wicketkeeper-batter Sanju Samson is rumored to be joining CSK.
“We have certain players in our mind to add to our line up next season. But so far, we have not had discussions with anyone, as I said there is a lot of time for player retention etc.,” the source said.
