Follow UsOn the very first ball of Ravichandran Ashwin’s first over against the Punjab Kings (PBKS) on April 8 (Tuesday), he was hit for a four by left-hander Priyansh Arya. That was just the start as the experienced off-break bowler was hit for two sixes in the over and conceded 21 runs.
However, this was not the only over that Ashwin was taken to the cleaners in the powerplay this season. It has been a feature of Ashiwn’s bowling this season. So far, the 38-year-old has bowled five overs in the powerplay and gone for 78 runs at an economy rate of 15.6.
This is also his worst performance in powerplay in the last three seasons. In 2023, Ashwin did not take more than one wicket in powerplay. However, he was not that expensive and that’s why it did not hurt his team-Rajasthan Royals, but for the Super Kings, he is bleeding runs and that is costing them the city to let other bowlers go for runs in search of wickets.
Ravichandran Ashwin in powerplay since 2023
2023–12 inns, 1 wicket, 111.0 average, 8.5 economy, 78.0 SR, 11 fours, 3 sixes
2024–8 inns, 2 wickets, 47.5 average, 8.6 economy, 33.0 SR, 7 fours, 4 sixes
2025–5 inns, 1 wickets, 78.0 average, 15.6 economy, 30.0 SR, 8 fours, 5 sixes
But outside the powerplay, the Chennai-born player is still effective enough, as evidenced in the match against PBKS as well. He took two important wickets- Nehal Wadhera and Glenn Maxwell-and could have had three if Mukesh Choudhary did not touch the boundary ropes while catching Priyansh Arya.
Had that catch been taken, Chennai and Ashwin would have benefited multifold as Arya went on to smash a century, adding 30 more to his team’s total.
Ravichandran Ashwin in IPL 2025
Over 1-6: 5 overs, 78 runs, 1 wickets, 78.0 average, 15.6 economy 30.0 SR
Overs 7-20: 12 overs, 4 wickets, 22.5 average, 7.5 economy, 18.0 SR
Ashwin’s powerplay ploy has been decoded by opposition batters. With the class and street smartness that he has, the Chennai bowler has done well enough with an extra fielder outside the 30-yard circle. This clearly indicates that Ashwin should not bowl in powerplay for CSK in IPL 2025.