Legendary cricketer Ravichandran Ashwin, with the kind of cricketing intelligence he has, can become a great head coach in the Indian Premier League (IPL).
He announced his retirement from international cricket in December last year. After playing in the IPL this season for Chennai Super Kings (CSK), he drew the curtains down on his career in the cash-rich league on August 27.
Ashwin has time and again proven in his interviews that he has a sharp cricketing mind. After starting his YouTube channel, the Tamil Nadu-born has given fans great insight into the game. It goes without saying that having Ashwin as the head coach of the team will give its players a wonderful opportunity to pick his brains and hone their skills. With that said, CricTracker analyses into three IPL teams that can pick the Madras-born as their head coach.
3 Teams that can hire Ashwin as head coach ahead of IPL 2026
3. Rajasthan Royals
Rahul Dravid joined Rajasthan Royals as the head coach ahead of IPL 2025. However, the inaugural champions finished at No. 9. The former India skipper was offered a broader position as part of a restructuring ahead of next season. However, Dravid declined the offer and decided to relinquish his role as head coach.
Ashwin, who has spent three seasons at the Rajasthan Royals, from 2022 to 2024, could be a suitable candidate to be the successor to the T20 World Cup-winning head coach. The former's presence will benefit the likes of Wanindu Hasaranga, Maheesh Theekshana, Kumar Kartikeya, and Riyan Parag, among others, in case they get retained ahead of the 2026 season.
2. Kolkata Knight Riders
While Ashwin has never represented Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), he could replace former head coach Chandrakant Pandit, who parted ways with the three-time champions after IPL 2025. KKR have always had an affinity for acquiring talented spinners in its setup. Ashwin could play an important role, not just helping the existing spinners improve their game, but also roping in new ones who could serve the franchise for years to come.
Ashwin should not have too many difficulties getting accustomed to the KKR setup. He will get the opportunity to work with Varun Chakaravarthy, with whom he shares a great relationship. Both of them played for Dindigul Dragons in the 2025 Tamil Nadu Premier League. KKR won the IPL title in 2024 but didn't have a great time in the mega-auction. Ashwin's understanding of players' strengths and weaknesses could help them have a sensational auction ahead of IPL 2026, which could curtail their problems if not solve them altogether.
1. Chennai Super Kings
When fans hear about Ashwin and IPL together, the first team that comes to mind is Chennai Super Kings (CSK). He spent seven seasons at the Chennai-based franchise from 2009 to 2015. Ashwin played a key role in helping the team bag consecutive IPL titles in 2010 and 2011. Ahead of IPL 2025, he reunited with the Men in Yellow after being signed for INR 9.75 crore.
While Stephen Fleming has been CSK's head coach since the second edition of the IPL, the franchise has not managed to qualify for the playoffs in the last two seasons. In 2025, CSK finished last on the points table for the first time. Reports suggest that Chennai are looking for an overhaul. If they decide to part ways with Fleming, Ashwin could be a great choice to take up the head coach's role as he knows the management and the players inside out.
