Tough start by Chennai Super Kings (CSK). IPL 2026 not only disappointed his fans but also struck a deep emotional chord with Ravichandran Ashwin, one of the franchise’s most popular former players. After CSK fell to their third straight defeat – A heavy 43 run defeat to Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB). – Ashwin did not hold back while sharing his thoughts.
“I could have played more” : R. Ashwin
Speaking on his YouTube show, the veteran spinner reflected on both the team’s current struggles and his own emotional journey with the franchise. His words carried a mixture of anxiety, frustration and lingering pain from his last season in CSK colours.
Ashwin revealed that walking away from the IPL was not a purely physical decision. In fact, he admitted that he still has more cricket left in him. “Honestly, I think I could have played more because emotionally I just didn’t have the bandwidth to play.” he said.
Looking back on CSK’s disappointing 2025 season – where the team finished at the bottom of the table – Ashwin described the experience as deeply troubling. “I don’t want to go there, it’s mentally uncomfortable. It was very painful for me.” he admitted.
For him, retirement became a way to release this emotional burden, while also reducing the pressure on franchise management. It wasn’t just about form or fitness – it was about mental space and peace.
Tactical concerns and growing questions around CSK
While Ashwin’s thoughts were personal, he did not shy away from analyzing what is wrong with the current CSK set-up. One of his biggest concerns was the team’s decision-making, which he felt lacked the clarity and consistency the franchise has been known for over the years.
“All this doesn’t happen in CSK that I know of” Ashwin pointed out and highlighted how unusual some of the recent selections were.
He specifically pointed to the underutilization of certain players, including big-money signings who weren’t given enough opportunities. For example, he questioned that Prashant Veer, despite being a high-priced pick, was not trusted even when others were struggling.
Also READ: Bhuvneshwar Kumar writes history to achieve a special milestone in RCB vs CSK match in IPL 2026.
Ashwin criticized their bowling strategies, especially against RCB. He felt that forcing bowlers like Jamie Overton and Anshul Kamboj to execute wide yorkers backfired. “You bowl wide yorkers around the stumps for him. Tim David smashed them hard,” he explained, referring to the attack that followed.
Another area of ​​concern for Ashwin was CSK’s move to a younger squad. While acknowledging the need to build for the future, he questioned whether the current environment is conducive to the growth of these players.
“These young guys, you’ve got to train them well, you’ve got to give them intensity, then you’ve got to create an atmosphere for them. How are they going to do that?” – he asked.
According to Ashwin, talent alone is not enough – players need the right support system, confidence and clarity in roles. Without it, even promising youngsters can struggle to perform consistently.
RCB’s loss only heightened these concerns. Bengaluru posted a massive 250/3 with explosive contributions from Tim David, Rajat Patidar and Devdutt Padikkal. CSK, in reply, never found their footing after losing early wickets.
Also READ: Fans react as Tim David’s masterclass inspires RCB to a decisive win over CSK in IPL 2026.
