Ravichandran Ashwin
Role: Bowling All-rounder
DOB: 17 September 1986
IPL Team (2026): Rajasthan Royals
Base Price: Retained
IPL CAREER STATISTICS (Updated April 2026)
Batting & Fielding
| Year | Mat | Inn | NO | Runs | HS | Avg | BF | SR | 100 | 50 | 4s | 6s | CT |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Career | 206 | 100 | 32 | 773 | 50 | 11.36 | 616 | 125.48 | 0 | 1 | 60 | 25 | 62 |
| 2024 | 15 | 10 | 6 | 44 | 29* | 11.00 | 34 | 129.41 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 2 | 3 |
| 2023 | 14 | 10 | 5 | 50 | 30 | 10.00 | 43 | 116.27 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 1 | 3 |
| 2022 | 17 | 12 | 3 | 191 | 50 | 21.22 | 135 | 141.48 | 0 | 1 | 16 | 9 | 6 |
| 2021 | 13 | 8 | 2 | 68 | 29 | 11.33 | 59 | 115.25 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 1 | 4 |
| 2020 | 15 | 6 | 2 | 38 | 14 | 9.50 | 32 | 118.75 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 4 |
| 2019 | 14 | 7 | 3 | 42 | 17 | 10.50 | 37 | 113.51 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 2 |
| 2018 | 14 | 9 | 3 | 102 | 45 | 17.00 | 68 | 150.00 | 0 | 0 | 10 | 5 | 1 |
| 2017 | 14 | 3 | 1 | 10 | 10 | 5.00 | 12 | 83.33 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3 |
| 2016 | 14 | 4 | 2 | 11 | 11 | 5.50 | 11 | 100.00 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 |
| 2015 | 13 | 4 | 2 | 30 | 12 | 15.00 | 26 | 115.38 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 4 |
| 2014 | 16 | 2 | 1 | 10 | 7 | 10.00 | 10 | 100.00 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3 |
| 2013 | 18 | 4 | 2 | 10 | 10 | 5.00 | 10 | 100.00 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 10 |
| 2012 | 18 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1.00 | 2 | 50.00 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 |
| 2011 | 16 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1* | – | 1 | 100.00 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 |
| 2010 | 12 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1.00 | 2 | 50.00 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| 2009 | 2 | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | 1 |
Bowling
| Year | Mat | Balls | Runs | Wkts | BBI | Avg | Econ | SR | 4W | 5W |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Career | 206 | 4680 | 5466 | 177 | 4/34 | 30.82 | 7.00 | 26.44 | 1 | 0 |
| 2024 | 15 | 312 | 390 | 9 | 2/34 | 43.33 | 7.50 | 34.66 | 0 | 0 |
| 2023 | 14 | 324 | 382 | 20 | 4/27 | 19.10 | 7.07 | 16.20 | 1 | 0 |
| 2022 | 17 | 372 | 443 | 12 | 3/17 | 36.91 | 7.14 | 31.00 | 0 | 0 |
| 2021 | 13 | 294 | 338 | 7 | 2/27 | 48.28 | 6.89 | 42.00 | 0 | 0 |
| 2020 | 15 | 342 | 366 | 13 | 3/29 | 28.15 | 6.70 | 26.30 | 0 | 0 |
| 2019 | 14 | 324 | 360 | 15 | 3/23 | 24.00 | 6.66 | 21.60 | 0 | 0 |
| 2018 | 14 | 324 | 370 | 10 | 2/23 | 37.00 | 6.85 | 32.40 | 0 | 0 |
| 2017 | 14 | 330 | 386 | 10 | 2/16 | 38.60 | 7.01 | 33.00 | 0 | 0 |
| 2016 | 14 | 336 | 374 | 10 | 2/16 | 37.40 | 6.67 | 33.60 | 0 | 0 |
| 2015 | 13 | 294 | 306 | 10 | 3/27 | 30.60 | 6.24 | 29.40 | 0 | 0 |
| 2014 | 16 | 360 | 389 | 17 | 3/16 | 22.88 | 6.48 | 21.17 | 0 | 0 |
| 2013 | 18 | 408 | 467 | 15 | 3/20 | 31.13 | 6.86 | 27.20 | 0 | 0 |
| 2012 | 18 | 408 | 468 | 16 | 3/19 | 29.25 | 6.88 | 25.50 | 0 | 0 |
| 2011 | 16 | 384 | 347 | 13 | 3/16 | 26.69 | 5.42 | 29.53 | 0 | 0 |
| 2010 | 12 | 270 | 256 | 13 | 3/16 | 19.69 | 5.68 | 20.76 | 0 | 0 |
| 2009 | 2 | 36 | 38 | 1 | 1/20 | 38.00 | 6.33 | 36.00 | 0 | 0 |
The Story of Ravichandran Ashwin
From the bylanes of Chennai, Ravichandran Ashwin emerged not just as an off-spinner, but as a cricketing intellectual, a grandmaster of the 22 yards. His journey into the IPL began quietly in 2009 with the Chennai Super Kings, a local boy making good. Initially overshadowed by more established names, Ashwin’s sharp mind and relentless work ethic quickly caught the eye of MS Dhoni, a captain renowned for backing talent.
His breakthrough wasn’t a single explosive moment, but a gradual ascent marked by consistent performances and an ever-evolving arsenal. The 2010 and 2011 seasons were pivotal, as he became a linchpin in CSK’s back-to-back title victories. His ability to bowl economically in the powerplay, pick crucial wickets in the middle overs, and even deliver under pressure at the death, made him indispensable. He wasn’t just spinning the ball; he was thinking batsmen out, setting traps with subtle changes in pace, trajectory, and grip.
Ashwin’s playing style is a masterclass in cerebral cricket. He’s not the biggest turner of the ball, but his variations are legendary – the carrom ball, the slider, the flipper, the conventional off-break, and even a leg-break, all delivered with minimal change in action. He constantly adapts, analyzing batsmen’s weaknesses and exploiting conditions. This strategic depth, combined with his competitive fire, has allowed him to remain at the peak of T20 bowling for over a decade, a true testament to his enduring skill and innovation.
IPL Journey: Team by Team
Ravichandran Ashwin’s IPL career is a fascinating tapestry woven across multiple franchises, each stint adding a new dimension to his legacy.
- Chennai Super Kings (2009-2015): Ashwin’s formative years were spent under the tutelage of MS Dhoni at CSK. Picked for a modest sum, he quickly became a vital cog in their golden era, contributing significantly to their titles in 2010 and 2011. His economy and wicket-taking ability in the powerplay and middle overs were crucial. He was a local hero, a true Yellow Army stalwart.
- Rising Pune Supergiant (2016-2017): After CSK’s suspension, Ashwin moved to RPS. He continued to be a key spinner, though his numbers dipped slightly in 2016 and 2017, partly due to injury and adapting to new team dynamics. He was acquired for INR 7.5 crore in the 2016 draft.
- Kings XI Punjab / Punjab Kings (2018-2019): In 2018, Ashwin was a marquee acquisition for KXIP, bought for a hefty INR 7.6 crore. He took on the captaincy role, showcasing his leadership acumen. While the team didn’t reach the playoffs, Ashwin’s individual performances were strong, especially in 2019 where he picked up 15 wickets and showed his batting prowess with a crucial 45.
- Delhi Capitals (2020-2021): Traded to DC in 2020, Ashwin reunited with Ricky Ponting and played a crucial role in their journey to the final. He continued his economical spells and picked up important wickets, forming a formidable spin duo with Axar Patel. He was a strategic asset, particularly in the UAE conditions.
- Rajasthan Royals (2022-Present): The 2022 mega-auction saw RR secure Ashwin for INR 5 crore, a move that proved to be a masterstroke. He has since become an integral part of their setup, not just with his bowling but also with his surprisingly impactful batting, including his maiden IPL fifty. He’s been a consistent performer, helping RR reach the final in 2022 and maintaining strong performances in 2023 and 2024, continuing to be a retained player for the franchise.
What Makes Them Special: Betting Perspective
Ravichandran Ashwin is a bettor’s dream for his consistency and strategic value, though his impact isn’t always reflected in raw wicket counts. His primary strength lies in his exceptional economy rate, consistently hovering around 7.00 runs per over. This makes him a strong bet for ‘Under’ on total runs conceded, especially on pitches offering even a hint of turn. He’s a master of controlling the middle overs, stifling opposition scoring and building pressure that often leads to wickets for other bowlers.
For ‘Player to take X wickets’ bets, Ashwin is a reliable option for 1-2 wickets. While he doesn’t often bag 3+ wickets, his ability to pick up crucial breakthroughs, particularly against left-handers or batsmen struggling against spin, is invaluable. Look for matchups where the opposition has a top-heavy batting lineup susceptible to off-spin. Conditions are key: he thrives on slower, turning tracks and can be less effective on flat batting paradises, though his variations still make him hard to hit.
His recent batting contributions, particularly his maiden fifty in 2022, add another layer. While not a primary batting bet, he can be a dark horse for ‘Most Sixes’ or ‘Highest Scorer’ in lower-order collapse scenarios, especially when promoted as a pinch-hitter. His fielding is also solid, making him a decent pick for ‘Player to take a Catch’ in specific matches. Bet on Ashwin for his intelligence, economy, and ability to deliver under pressure, rather than purely for big wicket hauls.
Key Records & Milestones
- One of only three bowlers to have taken 150+ wickets and scored 750+ runs in IPL history (alongside Dwayne Bravo and Sunil Narine).
- Holds the record for the most wickets by an Indian off-spinner in IPL history (177 wickets).
- Became the first player in IPL history to be retired out (vs Lucknow Super Giants, 2022), a testament to his innovative approach to T20 cricket.
- One of the few players to have played over 200 IPL matches, showcasing his incredible longevity and consistent performance.
- His economy rate of 7.00 is among the best for bowlers with over 150 IPL wickets.
IPL Season Highlights
Ravichandran Ashwin has delivered numerous standout performances throughout his illustrious IPL career, but a few seasons truly underscore his impact.
- IPL 2014 (CSK): This was a bowling masterclass season for Ashwin. He picked up 17 wickets from 16 matches at an exceptional economy of 6.48 and a strike rate of 21.17. His spell of 3/16 against Mumbai Indians in a crucial league game, dismantling their middle order, was a highlight, showcasing his ability to choke runs and take wickets against strong batting lineups.
- IPL 2022 (RR): A season where Ashwin redefined his all-rounder tag. While taking 12 wickets from 17 matches at an economy of 7.14, his batting truly shone. He scored 191 runs at a strike rate of 141.48, including his maiden IPL fifty (50 off 38 balls) against Delhi Capitals. This season also saw him become the first player to be ‘retired out’, a strategic move that demonstrated his team-first mentality and innovative thinking.
- IPL 2023 (RR): Ashwin continued his strong form, particularly with the ball. He bagged an impressive 20 wickets from 14 matches, his best wicket-taking season since 2014. His average of 19.10 and strike rate of 16.20 were outstanding. A standout performance was his 4/27 against Chennai Super Kings, dismantling his former team’s batting lineup and proving his continued prowess as a match-winner.