‘Ashwin has to be released…’ Former CSK player’s blunt message to Chennai

The Indian Premier League is going to be challenging and exacting for the fans and for the other teams as well. However, Chennai Super Kings(CSK) and Rajasthan Royals(RR) are in most of the talks these days.

As the respective star players of both the franchises, Sanju Samson and Ravichandran Ashwin have asked the teams to leave or trade them in a mini-auction of the IPL 2026. Chennai Super Kings(CSK) were trying to add Samson to their squad to keep a good wicket-keeper batter in their team after MS Dhoni’s retirement.

Ashwin was bought by Chennai Super Kings for the good amount of INR 9.75 crore in the IPL 2025 mega auction. On the rumors of the trade of the spinner, former player of CSK Subramaniam Badrinath shared something he felt.

Add Cricket Country as a Preferred Source

“I feel Ashwin adds value to CSK, but not at Rs 10 crore (Rs 9.75 crore). In the IPL, you need to see the price point and the player. He is definitely not at his peak. That is why I have been maintaining from the start that Ashwin has to be released,” he said.

Badrinath also spoke about MS Dhoni’s future in the IPL, legendary captain might choose to retire as a player before the next season begins. He noted that with Sanju Samson being strongly linked to the squad, Dhoni could see this as the right time to step away from playing in the T20 league.

“We don’t know if MS Dhoni is going to continue playing or not. That decision has not yet been made. He might play a few matches, or he could play a few matches at Chepauk. There might be a brand value attached. He could attract a few brands. He might announce till the IPL season starts. The presence of Sanju Samson could create confusion, which is what I feel,” he added.