Ravichandran Ashwin retires from IPL and hopes to play in other franchise leagues

Former India off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has retired from the Indian Premier League (IPL) and plans to play in other franchise leagues across the world.

Ashwin, 38, played for five franchises including the Chennai Super Kings – where he won the title twice in 2010 and 2011 – and is fifth on the all-time wicket-taker list with 187.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) does not allow any player in Indian international or domestic cricket to feature in overseas leagues.

“They say every ending will have a new start,” Ashwin posted on social media.

“My time as an IPL cricketer comes to a close today but my time as an explorer of the game around various leagues begins today.”

Ashwin retired from international cricket in December as the seventh-highest wicket-taker in Test history.

He took 537 wickets at an average of 24 in 106 Tests – second only to Anil Kumble’s 619 among India bowlers.

He also took 156 wickets at 33.20 apiece in 116 one-day internationals and 72 at an average of 23.22 in 65 T20s.