Last year, R. Ashwin made a highly anticipated return to the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) for a whopping Rs 9.75 crore. Fans were hopeful that the reunion with the city’s beloved cricketer would bring back some of the old magic from their successful stint together between 2008 and 2015, which saw Ashwin as a key player in CSK’s twin IPL and Champions League T20 title victories.
Unfortunately, the 2021 IPL season didn’t go as planned for Ashwin and CSK, as the team finished last with just four wins. With the upcoming season approaching, there is speculation that Ashwin may not continue with the yellow jersey due to his underwhelming performance.
Ashwin, who played in only nine matches this year, took seven wickets at an economy rate of 9.42. Discussions have reportedly taken place between Ashwin and the franchise regarding his role, leading to interest from other teams in acquiring his services.
CSK aimed to strengthen their spin attack by pairing Ashwin with Afghanistan’s Noor Ahmad and Ravindra Jadeja. However, managing three spinners proved to be a challenge, resulting in Ashwin completing his quota in only five out of nine games. Additionally, the Chepauk pitch was not as spin-friendly as in previous years, causing frustration for head coach Stephen Fleming.
If Ashwin is traded or released into the auction pool, he may also have to step down from his role as the head of the Super Kings Academy’s High Performance Centre. Overall, Ashwin’s future with CSK remains uncertain as the team looks to regroup and strategize for the upcoming season.
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