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The two-day highly-anticipated Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 mega auction finally came to a close on Monday, November 25 in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. A total of INR 639.15 Crore were spent by the ten franchises with 182 players finding a team and 395 going unsold. While there were some surprise as well as shocking picks, and among one of them was the bid of veteran Indian all-rounder Ravichandran Ashwin.
Ashwin, who played IPL 2024 with Rajasthan Royals, was released by the franchise ahead of the mega auction. Known to be one of the greats of spin bowling, the Indian veteran found himself back in the Chennai Super Kings’ (CSK) den after they acquired his services for INR 9.75 Crore on Sunday, November 24.
I am so glad to be back, to play alongside MS Dhoni: R Ashwin
Known to be best suitable for slow, turning pitches at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai, which is the home ground for the Yellow Army, Ashwin could not control his emotions and expressed joy to be back with the franchise. “They say life is a circle. From 2008 till 2015, I wore the yellow jersey and played for CSK and I am always indebted to them. Whatever I learnt at CSK, has helped me hugely in my international cricket journey as well till today. It’s almost 10 years since I last played for CSK, 2015 was my last with CSK. I don’t know how to express it, I was picked by CSK against this auction,” Ashwin said in a video shared by CSK on their social media handles.
“Words like homecoming, price, etc., are there, but something that is very nostalgic for me is the fact that CSK fought for me in the same way that they fought for me way back in the 2011 IPL auction. It was a trip down memory lane for me. It is a very special feeling,” he added. It is to be noted that Ashwin made his IPL debut with CSK in 2009 and was part of the team’s title winning campaigns in 2010 and 2011.
Watch R Ashwin expressing himself after being bought by CSK for INR 9.75 Cr in IPL 2025 mega auction:
“I have seen a lot about our “Anbuden” fans on social media for the last 10 years. When I used to play for RR, I used to feel bad that I am playing against CSK fans. They won’t shout whether I am bowling or batting. Now once again, to play in front of the same fans, to play of that every growing fandom I am so looking forward to it. I am so glad to be back, to play alongside MS Dhoni and ofcourse to play under Ruturaj Gaikwad. Thank you once again,” he continued, expressing excitement to play once again alongside MS Dhoni.
Ashwin will return in the Yellow after playing for Kings XI Punjab (now Punjab Kings), Rising Pune Supergiants, Delhi Capitals and Rajasthan Royals.
