Will CSK Ashwin release Pathirana? Bangar thinks that Dhoni & Co may want to “release his bags” –

Former India batting coach Sanjay Bangar opines that Chennai Super Kings might be looking to part ways with Ravichandran Ashwin after IPL 2025. The spinner returned to CSK after a 10-year-gap as he was purchased for a whooping Rs 9.75 crore. Ashwin has not delivered any standout performance for CSK so far in IPL 2025 and has turned out to be more of a liability than an asset for the five-time champions.

No more Ashwin, Pathirana in CSK?

Speaking on Star Sports, Bangar pointed out that CSK would have to think twice before retaining “big-ticket players” like Ashwin and Pathirana. He opined that the team might release them in order to free their purse and instead may look for their replacements.

“Whether they retain Ashwin or not is going to be another big question because that’s where the money is locked in. If they want to free up their purse a little bit, in the knowledge that they might not want to use Ashwin as much as they have used in this particular season. So, probably out of those big-ticket players, those are the two players (Ashwin and Pathirana) that they might just think of whether they want to keep them or maybe find a replacement for them,” said Bangar.

Ashwin hasn’t had a great season this year. In seven matches, he has only managed to pick up five wickets. The veteran has been quite expensive as well, having conceded 223 runs from 144 deliveries, averaging 44.60 and maintaining an economy rate of 9.29.

Pathirana has also been expensive this season, having bowled 31 extras already. In 8 matches, he has taken 9 wickets and has conceded 298 runs from 172 deliveries.

On Wednesday, CSK became the first team to be eliminated from the IPL 2025 playoffs race. They lost to PBKS by 6 wickets, marking their 8th defeat and 5th consecutive loss at Chepauk.