The IPL 2025 mega-auction is just three days away and the franchises are preparing for the mega-event. The IPL auction will once again take place outside of India and Jeddah will host the two-day event on November 24 and 25. There are two marquee sets this time. Shreyas Iyer, who captained Kolkata Knight Riders to a title win in IPL 2024, will be part of the auction along with Rishabh Pant.
R Ashwin will also be one of the players to watch out for in the mega-auction. Chennai Super Kings (CSK) are expected to bid for him during the auction and he could return to the Yellow Army for the first time since IPL 2015.
Ashwin, who is also a popular YouTuber, hosted a mock auction before the mega-auction. Interestingly, he sold himself to CSK for Rs 8.5 crore. Ashwin was the host of the mock auction.
Ashwin's CSK career
R Ashwin started his IPL career with CSK in IPL 2009. The Yellow Army retained him before the IPL 2011 mega-auction. Ashwin joined MS Dhoni-led Rising Pune Supergiant before IPL 2016. He missed IPL 2017 due to an injury.
CSK tried to re-sign Ashwin in the IPL 2018 mega-auction but missed out. He joined Punjab Kings for Rs 7.6 crore and captained them in IPL 2018 and 2019. He was traded to Delhi Capitals before IPL 2020.
CSK did not bid for Ashwin in the IPL 2022 mega-auction. He joined Rajasthan Royals (RR) and stayed with them till IPL 2024. RR don't have a Right to Match card and they can't retain Ashwin.
It remains to be seen if CSK make the winning bid for him or not. MS Dhoni was still India's white-ball captain when Ashwin last played for CSK.
The senior spinner will play under Ruturaj Gaikwad if he returns to CSK. Ruturaj replaced MS Dhoni as captain before IPL 2024 and was retained for Rs 18 crore. Dhoni was retained in the uncapped category for Rs 4 crore.