'That team is like a school for me' - R Ashwin opens up on chances of returning to CSK

Chennai Super Kings is one of the most successful teams in IPL’s history. CSK always had a core group that it managed to retain for over a period of 14 years. The management invested a lot in these players, and in return, they helped the team win four IPL titles. CSK has retained Ravindra Jadeja, MS Dhoni, Ruturaj Gaikwad, and Moeen Ali for the next year.

CSK’s fans are excited for the upcoming auction as the team might pick a few familiar faces, and one such face is Ravichandran Ashwin. Ashwin was a part of the Chennai franchise from 2008 to 2015. He enjoyed a lot while playing for the defending champions and his performance helped him find a place in the Indian team.

In IPL 2022 auction, Ashwin will be back in the auction pool, and the fracnhise would be eager to pick at least one spinner who knows the ins and outs of the Chepauk pitch. Hence, Ashwin might be the team’s first choice. On Thursday, he released a new show on his YouTube channel called ‘40 Shades of Ash’, where he answered 40 questions asked by fans on Twitter.

One fan asked him about his chances of returning to CSK in 2022, replying to which Ashwin described the team as a school where he joined Pre KG and completed his middle school there but then oved to a different school after the board exams.

“CSK is a franchise close to my heart, for me, CSK is like a school. That is where I joined Pre KG, LKG, UKG, primary school, then I did my middle school, and then starting high school and completing 10th standard board exams, I moved to a different school. I did my 11th and 12th a couple of, a couple of years, outside. Then I did a couple of years of Junior College. But after completing everything, obviously one has to come home right? So even I would love to come back home, but it all depends on the auction dynamics.” he said.

Ravichandran Ashwin is still one of the leading wicket takers for CSK

CSK picked Ashwin in the 2008 auction when he was an uncapped player. He got his first opportunity to play for the team in 2009. 2011 was the most successful year for him when he picked 20 wickets in 16 matches at an average of 19.40.

The spinner parted ways with CSK after the franchise was banned for two years in 2016. Since then, he has played for Rising Pune Supergiant, Punjab Kings and Delhi Capitals.