Former India captain Krishnamachari Srikkanth backed Chennai Super Kings to let go of R Ashwin, who could leave the five-time champions only a season after his glittery reunion with the franchise following a Rs 9.75 crore auction deal.
The Indian Express had reported that the former India all-rounder has gained interest from a couple of franchises and has had talks with CSK over his future as a player. But what is adding to the intrigue is the fact that Ashwin is currently also serving as the head of CSK’s High Performance Centre and Super Kings Academy
However, Srikkanth backed Ashwin’s exit for the good for CSK after his underwhelming reunion with MS Dhoni and Ravindra Jadeja last season.
“Actually I am with CSK and if they do it, it will be a super move. I think they can muster up around 42 crores and with the youngsters who performed well at the end of the season, they can form a good side,” Srikkanth said on his YouTube channel.
While Srikkath recognised the legendary Ashwin’s qualities, he exhorted that franchise cricket remains results-driven. Ashwin had one of his poorest IPL seasons earlier this year, picking up only seven wickets in nine matches at a 40.42 average. “They thought it was a good pick, but unfortunately, you’ve got to understand that it’s franchise cricket at the end of the day and not Tamil Nadu cricket. Yes, all of us admire him for his records, he has done brilliantly for IPL, CSK, India, and Tamil Nadu. But that apart, you have to win championships. The last two years CSK have not qualified for the playoffs,” Srikkanth said.
Srikkanth also added that no cricketer in India is indispensable, citing Ashwin’s mid-series Test retirement during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in 2024.
“Even Washington Sundar was preferred over R Ashwin in Australia. The point is that he’s had a brilliant career but this is franchise cricket and this is bound to happen. It’s corporate cricket — what can you do? It’s the same corporate cricket that gives you a lot of money,” he added.
