Months after retiring from international cricket, Ravichandran Ashwin bid goodbye to the Indian Premier League (IPL) after playing his last season for Chennai Super Kings (CSK). Ashwin decided that he will become the T20 explorer, playing in different leagues but never revealed the details about his abrupt CSK exit and IPL retirement while he would've been surely picked by another franchise. After witnessing CSK lose to Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) as a broadcaster, Ashwin could barely get a grip on his emotions. He revealed that his last season at CSK was ‘mentally disturbing’ and he doesn't want to revisit the series of events as it is 'very painful' for him.
"I don't want to go there, it's mentally disturbing. It was very painful for me. I don't want to go there. I discussed a little then I said, I started in Chennai, I am finishing in my hometown, it's fine. I decided to retire myself as it would not have created a headache for them (the management) over whether to retain me or release. They would also save Rs 10 crore if I go. I am still disappointed. I had expectations, I had hope," Ashwin said on his YouTube channel ‘Ash Ki Baat’.
Ashwin said that he had picked RCB to beat CSK considering the current form the two teams are in. However, he expected a better display from them against the defending champions.
"I had expectations from today. I know, I picked RCB to win, because they have strength. But, I banked on the improvement that CSK showed in the last game. I had a little faith on the fact that RCB were coming into this match after a break. The way RCB played, they warned everyone," he added.
In the absence of legendary wicketkeeper-batter MS Dhoni and young explosive batter Dewald Brevis, CSK have struggled. Skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad and star trade Sanju Samson have not lived up to expectations whereas the bowling has been lacklustre in the absence of a good death bowler. The over-reliance on new talent, especially the Rs 14.20 crore recruits Prashant Veer and Kartik Sharma has led to them struggling, losing three consecutive games.
Ashwin’s message to CSK
Ashwin expects CSK to create a good atmosphere for the young guns to help them improve.
"These young boys, you have to give them good practice, you have to give them intensity, you have to give them atmosphere from here on. How are they going to do this?" he said.
CSK’s next challenge
CSK find themselves at the bottom of the points table. They will have plenty of time to rethink strategies and work on their star players' rehabilitation ahead of their next game against Delhi Capitals (DC). The clash is scheduled to take place at CSK's homeground, MA Chidambaram Stadium, on April 11.