Ravichandran Ashwin joins India Cements in new role

In a move that could potentially reunite him with the Chennai Super Kings at next year's IPL mega auction, star Indian all-rounder Ravichandran Ashwin has rejoined the India Cements setup. As part of the deal, Ashwin will take charge of CSK's new High-Performance Center coming up on the outskirts of Chennai.

The transfer puts Ashwin in a strong position to rejoin his former IPL franchise CSK when teams sit in the auction for IPL 2025. Due to the mega auction, the veteran spinner cannot be traded from his current side Rajasthan Royals (RR) to CSK. The auction will provide CSK best opportunity to reacquire the off-spinner's services after he last played for them in 2015.

“That depends on the auction dynamics because we can’t have control over it. We have to wait and see if the opportunity presents itself. First up, he will be taking charge of our High-Performance center and will handle the cricketing side of it including the programs and everything. We have signed him back. He is now part of the CSK venture and will also play for the India Cements teams in the TNCA First-Division,” CSK CEO Kari Viswanthan said as quoted by The Indian Express.

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Contributing to the cricketing fraternity is my primary focus: Ravichandran Ashwin

Ashwin will be able to come full circle through this transfer, having started his career at the age of 22 when he joined India Cements back in 2008. It was his performances for CSK in 2009 and 2010 that truly put the young off-spinner on the national radar, earning his India debut in 2010. He remained an integral part of CSK's core team until 2015 before moving to other franchises.

“Growing the game and contributing to the cricketing fraternity is my primary focus,” Ashwin said of his new role. 

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In addition to overseeing the high-performance center, Ashwin will also represent the India Cements squad in Tamil Nadu's domestic First Division league. The state-of-the-art new training facility will serve as a home base for all of CSK's cricketers from around the world to train year-round.

Ashwin took 90 wickets in 97 matches in the IPL across eight seasons for the Super Kings. He was the fourth-highest wicket-taker with 20 wickets in the 2011 Indian Premier League season, helping CSK win their second title.