R Ashwin Returns to India Squad for Hong Kong Sixes 2025 After IPL Retirement

Ravichandran Ashwin is set to pull on the India jersey once more, just weeks after announcing his retirement from all forms of mainstream cricket, including the Indian Premier League (IPL). The 38-year-old off-spinner has been named in India's squad for the Hong Kong Sixes 2025, to be staged from 7 to 9 November.

Cricket Hong Kong confirmed the development on its official channels, sparking excitement ahead of the six-a-side tournament that has long been a fan favourite for its fast-paced, television-friendly format. Ashwin's selection marks a fresh chapter in his post-retirement journey.

While bidding farewell to the IPL earlier this year, he had made it clear that he remained open to featuring in short-format competitions around the globe. That stance has now paved the way for his inclusion in the Hong Kong Sixes, where every player, bar the wicketkeeper, must bowl an over—a format tailor-made for multi-skilled cricketers.

Ashwin's IPL career began in 2009 with Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and came full circle in 2025 when he returned to the franchise, albeit with limited opportunities. Across 221 IPL matches, he picked up 187 wickets, making him the fifth-highest wicket-taker in the tournament's history, with an economy rate of 7.2.