Chennai Super Kings (CSK) had a difficult start ipl 2026 has not only disappointed fans but also created a deep emotional connect with one of the franchise’s most iconic former players, Ravichandran Ashwin. After CSK’s third consecutive defeat – Heavy defeat by 43 runs against Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) Ashwin did not hold back in sharing his views.
“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 emotional journey with the franchise. His words were a mixture of anxiety, frustration and lingering pain from his final season in CSK colours.
Ashwin revealed that his withdrawal from the IPL was not a purely physical decision. In fact, he admitted that there was still more cricket left in him. “Honestly, in my mind, I could have played more, because emotionally, I didn’t have the bandwidth to play,” He said.
Looking back at CSK’s disappointing 2025 season – where the team finished bottom of the table – Ashwin described the experience as extremely upsetting. “I don’t want to go there, it’s mentally disturbing. It was too painful for me.” He confessed.
For them, retirement became a way to move on from that 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 of mind.
Strategic concerns and growing questions around CSK
Although Ashwin’s views were personal, he did not shy away from analyzing what was going wrong with the current CSK setup. One of his biggest concerns was the team’s decision-making, which he believes lacks the clarity and consistency that the franchise has been known for over the years.
“This doesn’t happen in CSK at all, that I know of,” Ashwin made the comment highlighting how unusual some of the recent choices have been.
He particularly pointed to the under-utilisation of some players, including big-money players who have not been given enough opportunities. For example, he questioned why Prashant Weir, despite being a high-value pick, was not trusted to bowl while others were struggling.
Ashwin also criticized the bowling strategies, especially against RCB. He believes that forcing bowlers like Jamie Overton and Anshul Kamboj to bowl wide yorkers backfired badly. “You’re forcing him to bowl wide yorkers around the stumps. Tim David hits them hard,” He explained, referring to the attack that followed.
Another area of concern for Ashwin was CSK’s shift towards a young team. Although he acknowledged that building for the future is essential, he questioned whether the current environment is helping these players thrive.
“These young boys, you’ve got to give them good practice, you’ve got to give them intensity, you’ve got to give them the atmosphere out here. 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 this, even promising youngsters may struggle to perform consistently.
The loss to RCB further increased these concerns. Explosive contributions from Tim David, Rajat Patidar and Devdutt Padikkal helped Bengaluru post a mammoth score of 250/3. In reply, CSK was never able to consolidate its position after losing early wickets.
Also read: Tim David’s masterclass leads RCB to emphatic win over CSK in IPL 2026, fans react