Ravichandran Ashwin admits he always wanted to play for RCB – Ravichandran Ashwin Reveals Surprising Desire to Play for RCB
Breaking the Myth: Ashwin’s Candid IPL Admission
For years, the rivalry between the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) has been one of the most intense narratives in the Indian Premier League. The fan bases are notoriously passionate, often engaging in heated debates across social media. A common refrain among the CSK faithful has long been the claim that no player who has donned the yellow jersey would ever truly desire to represent the Bengaluru side. However, a recent revelation from one of the greatest spin bowlers in the league’s history has completely shattered that perception.
Ravichandran Ashwin, a veteran who has seen the league evolve from its infancy to its current global powerhouse status, recently opened up about his career path following the IPL 2025 mega-auction. While his legacy is deeply intertwined with the Chennai Super Kings, Ashwin revealed that his professional outlook was far broader than many supporters assumed.
A Choice Beyond Chennai
When discussing the dynamics of the 2025 mega-auction, Ashwin clarified that while he was pleased to be picked up by his home franchise, his professional satisfaction would not have been diminished had he landed elsewhere. The veteran spinner specifically named the Rajasthan Royals and the Royal Challengers Bengaluru as two destinations that would have made him equally happy.
“If I want to join any other team than CSK, then it’s RR or RCB,” Ashwin remarked. “Had RR picked me instead of Chennai in that mega auction, I would have been very happy. If they both didn’t pick me up and RCB did, then too I would have been happy.”
Understanding the Connection
Ashwin’s desire to play for these franchises is rooted in genuine respect and positive past experiences. He cited two primary reasons for his preference: the quality of his performances for those sides and the overwhelming support he has received from their respective crowds. For a player who has spent over a decade at the highest level of T20 cricket, the appreciation of the fans and the atmosphere of the stadiums play a massive role in where a player feels “at home.”
His time with the Rajasthan Royals, in particular, was marked by tactical success, where he formed a lethal spin partnership with Yuzvendra Chahal. Beyond his bowling, Ashwin contributed significantly with the bat, proving his value as a true all-format specialist. This period of his career was clearly one he looked back on with deep satisfaction.
The Evolution of a Legend
Ashwin’s career has been nothing short of extraordinary. Over the course of 221 IPL matches between 2009 and his retirement in 2025, he established himself as one of the most cerebral bowlers to ever grace the game. With 187 wickets to his name, his statistics speak for themselves, but his journey across five different franchises—CSK, Rising Pune Super Giants, Punjab Kings, Delhi Capitals, and Rajasthan Royals—has provided him with a unique perspective on the league.
While he won two titles with the Chennai Super Kings in 2010 and 2011, he also displayed immense versatility by contributing to various setups, playing in multiple IPL finals across different teams. His ability to adapt to different roles, whether as an opening powerplay bowler or a middle-overs enforcer, underscores his cricketing intelligence.
Moving Beyond Fan Narratives
The admission by Ashwin serves as a necessary reminder that professional cricketers approach the league with a level of pragmatism that fans often ignore. While supporters are driven by deep-seated tribalism and franchise loyalty, players are driven by professional environments, crowd engagement, and the tactical fit of the squads. By expressing his openness to playing for RCB, Ashwin has effectively neutralized a tired trope and reminded everyone that the IPL is, at its heart, a professional league where the best players appreciate the game regardless of the team color.
As the cricket world reflects on his storied career, Ashwin’s honesty remains a refreshing touchstone. It highlights that even for a legend who achieved so much with the yellow jersey, the spirit of the game—and the appreciation of the fans in Bangalore and Jaipur—holds a place of high esteem in his professional memory.
