“It won’t be possible now” - R Ashwin opens up on India captaincy aspirations after retirement during BGT 2024-25

Veteran off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin revealed that he has no regrets about not getting to lead Team India. The comments came after the 38-year-old announced his retirement following the third Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 at The Gabba.

Despite being one of the senior cricketers in the Indian team, he was not considered for the captaincy role. The management preferred youngsters like KL Rahul and Jasprit Bumrah ahead of him, however, Ashwin stated that he has no regrets about it.

Speaking to reporters outside his house a day after announcing his retirement, Ashwin said:

"It won’t be possible now, it’s all over (laughs). But I don’t have those regrets. I have zero regrets. I have seen many people from a distance who live with regrets. I am not ready to live a life like that, I have no regrets."

However, Ravichandran Ashwin has led teams in the Indian Premier League (IPL), Tamil Nadu Premier League (TNPL), and his state side in the domestic circuit. He led the Dindigul Dragons to the TNPL title after beating the Lyca Kovai Kings in the final earlier this year.

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"I don’t think Ashwin the cricketer is done" - Veteran off-spinner on playing in the IPL

Ravichandran Ashwin has confirmed his association with the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in the IPL despite announcing his retirement from international cricket. He will return to his native franchise after being roped in by CSK at the IPL 2025 auction for ₹ 9.75 crore.

Ashwin began his IPL career with the Super Kings where he spent eight years before the franchise was banned for two seasons due to match-fixing allegations. His best IPL season came in 2011 when he picked up 20 wickets and played a key role in CSK lifting the title.

He had an excellent outing in the final, returning with figures of 3/16 in four overs, including the wicket of Chris Gayle in the first over. When asked to speak on MS Dhoni handing him the new ball against Gayle in the IPL 2011 final, Ashwin said:

"I think that part of me is still burning bright. I am going to play for CSK and don’t be surprised if I try and aspire to play for as long as I can (followed by raucous cheers). I don’t think Ashwin the cricketer is done, I think Ashwin the Indian cricketer has probably called it time that’s it," he said.

Ashwin has 180 wickets so far in 208 IPL innings at an average of 29.82 and the best figures 4/34.