Murugan Ashwin
Role: Bowler
DOB: 08 September 1990
IPL Team (2026): Unsold
Base Price: N/A (Unsold in recent auctions)
IPL CAREER STATISTICS (Updated April 2026)
Batting & Fielding
| Year | Mat | Inn | NO | Runs | HS | Avg | BF | SR | 100 | 50 | 4s | 6s | CT |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Career | 41 | 7 | 4 | 15 | 6* | 5.00 | 19 | 78.94 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 11 |
| 2023 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | – | 0 | – | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2022 | 8 | 2 | 1 | 6 | 6* | 6.00 | 6 | 100.00 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| 2021 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0* | – | 0 | – | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| 2020 | 9 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0* | – | 0 | – | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| 2019 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | – | 0 | – | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2018 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 3.00 | 5 | 60.00 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| 2017 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | – | 0 | – | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| 2016 | 10 | 2 | 0 | 6 | 6 | 3.00 | 8 | 75.00 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
Bowling
| Year | Mat | Balls | Runs | Wkts | BBI | Avg | Econ | SR | 4W | 5W |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Career | 41 | 830 | 1093 | 40 | 3/21 | 27.32 | 7.90 | 20.75 | 0 | 0 |
| 2023 | 2 | 36 | 63 | 0 | 0/28 | – | 10.50 | – | 0 | 0 |
| 2022 | 8 | 180 | 232 | 9 | 3/21 | 25.77 | 7.73 | 20.00 | 0 | 0 |
| 2021 | 4 | 96 | 121 | 4 | 2/21 | 30.25 | 7.56 | 24.00 | 0 | 0 |
| 2020 | 9 | 180 | 230 | 3 | 1/16 | 76.66 | 7.66 | 60.00 | 0 | 0 |
| 2019 | 2 | 48 | 80 | 1 | 1/21 | 80.00 | 10.00 | 48.00 | 0 | 0 |
| 2018 | 5 | 108 | 135 | 3 | 2/32 | 45.00 | 7.50 | 36.00 | 0 | 0 |
| 2017 | 1 | 24 | 40 | 0 | 0/40 | – | 10.00 | – | 0 | 0 |
| 2016 | 10 | 158 | 192 | 10 | 2/16 | 19.20 | 7.29 | 15.80 | 0 | 0 |
The Story of Murugan Ashwin
Hailing from Chennai, Murugan Ashwin emerged onto the IPL scene as a promising leg-spinner with a bag of tricks. Unlike his more famous namesake, R. Ashwin, Murugan is a traditional wrist-spinner, known for his subtle variations, sharp googlies, and deceptive flippers. His journey into the IPL began in 2016 when the Rising Pune Supergiant (RPS) snapped him up for a hefty sum, a testament to his impressive domestic performances for Tamil Nadu.
Ashwin quickly made an impact in his debut season with RPS, showcasing his ability to pick up crucial wickets in the middle overs and maintain a decent economy rate. His breakthrough moment arguably came during that very season, where he consistently troubled batsmen, proving to be a valuable asset on pitches that offered even a hint of turn. He wasn’t just a wicket-taker; his control and ability to bowl tight lines often built pressure, leading to wickets at the other end.
Over the years, Murugan Ashwin has been a journeyman in the IPL, moving between franchises but always bringing his unique brand of leg-spin. While not always a regular starter, his presence in the squad offered captains a reliable spin option, especially against left-handers or on slower tracks. His playing style is characterized by a high arm action, good flight, and the ability to impart significant turn, making him a challenging proposition for batsmen looking to accelerate.
Despite not always grabbing headlines, Ashwin has consistently shown glimpses of his potential, often delivering match-turning spells when given an extended run. His commitment to honing his craft and adding new variations has kept him relevant in the competitive world of IPL cricket, making him a dark horse who can surprise opponents on his day.
IPL Journey: Team by Team
Murugan Ashwin’s IPL career has seen him don the jerseys of multiple franchises, reflecting his utility as a solid, if not always star, performer. His journey began with a bang in 2016 when Rising Pune Supergiant (RPS) acquired him for a significant INR 4.5 crore, far exceeding his base price. He repaid their faith with 10 wickets in his debut season, making him a key part of their bowling attack. He continued with RPS in 2017, though with limited opportunities.
In the 2018 auction, Delhi Daredevils (now Capitals) picked him up for INR 20 lakh, where he played 5 matches. The following year, Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) secured his services for INR 20 lakh, but he featured in only two games. His move to Kings XI Punjab (now Punjab Kings) in 2020 for INR 20 lakh saw him get more game time, playing 9 matches and contributing with his economical spells. He continued with PBKS in 2021.
The 2022 mega-auction saw Mumbai Indians (MI) invest INR 1.6 crore in him, where he had a decent season, picking up 9 wickets in 8 matches, often being MI’s lead spinner. His most recent stint was with Rajasthan Royals (RR) in 2023, who bought him for INR 20 lakh, though he played only two matches. He went unsold in the 2024 auction, indicating a potential end to his active IPL playing career, at least for now.
What Makes Them Special: Betting Perspective
From a betting perspective, Murugan Ashwin is a bowler whose value often depends on pitch conditions and team strategy. His primary strength lies in his variations – the googly and flipper – which can be highly effective on slow, turning tracks. When betting on Ashwin, consider matches played on pitches known to assist spinners, particularly in Chennai, Delhi, or other traditionally spin-friendly venues. He thrives when given the freedom to attack in the middle overs, often breaking partnerships.
His consistency can be a double-edged sword. While he can deliver economical spells and pick up crucial wickets, he can also be expensive on flat decks or against batsmen who are adept at reading wrist-spin. Therefore, betting on him for ‘most wickets’ might be a high-risk, high-reward proposition. A safer bet could be on his ‘economy rate’ in specific matches, especially if he’s bowling in the powerplay or death overs where his variations can be harder to hit.
Matchups are key: Ashwin tends to perform better against teams with a predominantly right-handed middle order, as his leg-spin and googly naturally turn away from them. He might struggle against left-handers who can hit through the line. Look for ‘player performance’ bets when he’s playing against a struggling middle order or on a pitch that offers grip and turn. Conversely, consider betting against him for ‘most wickets’ if he’s playing on a batting paradise or against a strong, aggressive batting lineup known for dominating spin. His lack of recent game time and unsold status in 2024 means his immediate betting relevance is low, but his past performances offer insights into his potential if he were to return.
Key Records & Milestones
- Best IPL Season Economy: 6.94 in IPL 2016 (for Rising Pune Supergiant), showcasing his control in his debut season.
- Highest Wicket Tally in a Season: 10 wickets in IPL 2016 from 10 matches, his most impactful season numerically.
- Best Bowling Figures: 3/21 against Rajasthan Royals in IPL 2022 while playing for Mumbai Indians, a match-winning spell.
- Consistent Performer for Different Franchises: One of the few players to have played for 7 different IPL franchises (RPS, DD, RCB, KXIP/PBKS, MI, RR), highlighting his adaptability and value as a squad player.
IPL Season Highlights
Murugan Ashwin’s most impactful IPL season was undoubtedly his debut in 2016 with Rising Pune Supergiant. He picked up 10 wickets in 10 matches at an impressive economy rate of 6.94. He consistently provided breakthroughs, with notable performances including 2/16 against Mumbai Indians in the opening match and 2/21 against Sunrisers Hyderabad, showcasing his ability to trouble top batsmen and provide crucial wickets in the middle overs.
Another strong season for Ashwin came in IPL 2022 with Mumbai Indians. Despite MI’s overall struggles, Ashwin was a bright spot in their bowling attack. He claimed 9 wickets in 8 matches at an economy of 7.73. His best performance came against Rajasthan Royals, where he picked up 3/21, including the crucial wickets of Devdutt Padikkal and Riyan Parag, helping MI secure a rare victory that season. He often led the spin department, showing good control and variations.