IPL 2025 Mega Auction: CSK coach Stephen Fleming reflects on Ravi Ashwin’s ‘homecoming’

Chennai Super Kings (CSK) purchased ace India spinner and ex-franchise player Ravichandran Ashwin for $1.1mn (INR 9.75 crore) on day one of the IPL 2025 mega auction in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. CSK head coach Stephen Fleming, who was present at the auction table, reflected on Ashwin’s ‘homecoming’, who played for the side for six seasons (2009-2015) before.

To acquire Ashwin’s service, CSK fought hard with Rajasthan Royals (RR), Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) and Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) in a four-way bidding war. 

Meanwhile, CSK also purchased Afghanistan left-arm unorthodox spinner Noor Ahmed for $1.19mn (INR 10 crore), adding firepower to the spin department with Ravindra Jadeja already retained. Mumbai Indians (MI) and Gujarat Titans (GT) also chased Noor, but with CSK putting up a 10-crore counteroffer after GT decided to use RTM for him, they backed off, with Chennai winning the race for the T20 specialist.

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"It's a bit of a homecoming for Ashwin, but he's a world-class bowler," Fleming said after day one at the IPL 2025 mega auction. 

"It's not so much the price - you look at how someone fits in, and there's an emotional attachment for Ashwin with Chennai, so it's a nice fit. He has still got a very good skillset; his numbers are fantastic. He's obviously towards the latter part of his career, but the experience he brings, he's handy with the bat, and we think we can use him in a number of ways.

"The Noor Ahmad pick was looking more at the middle [overs] to attack. So, if we do get turning conditions, then we've got an opportunity to keep taking wickets. We've got [Matheesha] Pathirana at the end, which is the death aspect,” the coach noted.

Spin to win for CSK

Emphasizing the importance of picking wickets and how it impacts the game’s result, especially in the shortest format, Fleming said he is content with the players they picked on day one.

"We've just identified that the way the game is going, your bowling has to be really specific, and you have to take wickets to slow teams down. And if you're just trying to contain, then some of the hitting power of players these days will just take the game away from you. 

“So, we've tried to be smart with our options given our retained players and add some variation, which maybe we lacked a little bit last year,” the coach continued.

Meanwhile, besides Ashwin, CSK bought several familiar faces in Devon Conway (INR 6.5 crore) and Rachin Ravindra (INR 4 crore), who played for the franchise in the previous edition. The five-time IPL winners also picked up top order batter Rahul Tripathi for INR 3.40 crore. 

Chennai has INR 15.60 crore left and 12 slots remaining to fill. 

(With inputs from agencies)