Cricket enthusiasts saw an emotional moment on Wednesday, August 27, when experienced off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin declared retirement from the Indian Premier League (IPL). For enthusiasts, it was the end of an epoch characterized by his shrewd bowling, perceptive cricketing brain, and unparalleled zeal. But to Ashwin's family, it was extremely personal. His wife, Prithi Narayanan, posted a lovely message that perfectly expressed the love and pride she felt for her husband as he closed one big chapter in his career. Watch here: “I love you! Can’t wait to see you do new things and scale new heights.” Also Read | Manoj Tiwary Questions MS Dhoni’s Backing and Selection Bias Ashwin's IPL career came a full circle itself at the start of this year when Chennai Super Kings (CSK) picked up his services in the 2025 mega auction for ₹9.75 crore. It was a homecoming, as such, since Ashwin had originally emerged to prominence with CSK in the leadership of MS Dhoni well over a decade ago. But things did not go according to plan. The 38-year-old off-spinner was unable to recapture his old sparks, taking only seven wickets in nine matches. His average of 40.42, along with a strike rate of 26.5 and an economy rate of 9.12, was a testament to his woes in a season when CSK themselves underperformed, ending bottom of the points table. Her words deeply resonated with cricket fans, highlighting the unwavering support she has always shown Ashwin. More than just statistics and results, it served as a reminder that behind every cricketer stands a family sharing the joys and struggles with equal passion.