R Ashwin, the former Indian spinner and current Rajasthan Royals player, has announced that he will no longer cover Chennai Super Kings (CSK) matches on his YouTube channel for the remainder of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025. This decision comes in the wake of a recent controversy that has stirred the cricketing community.
The controversy erupted during a CSK match when former South African and Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) analyst Prasanna Agoram publicly questioned the franchise’s decision to play Afghanistan spinner Noor Ahmad over seasoned players like Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja. The video of Agoram’s critique was later removed from circulation, but not before it sparked significant debate and discussion.
Following CSK’s 25-run defeat to the Delhi Capitals at the iconic Chepauk Stadium, CSK’s head coach Stephen Fleming dismissed the controversy as “irrelevant.” In a post-match press conference, Fleming stated, “I have no idea. I didn’t even know he had a channel, so I don’t know that stuff. That’s irrelevant.”
On Sunday, an official statement was released on Ashwin’s YouTube channel, explaining the decision to step back from covering CSK games. The statement read, “Given the nature of the discussions on this forum over the last week, we want to be mindful of how things can be interpreted and have chosen to step away from covering CSK games, both previews and reviews, for the rest of this season.”
The statement further emphasized the channel’s commitment to maintaining the integrity and purpose of their platform, clarifying that the views expressed by guests do not necessarily reflect Ashwin’s personal opinions. “We value the diversity of perspectives that come through on our shows and remain committed to ensuring the conversation stays true to the integrity and purpose of the platform we’ve established,” it added.
Ashwin’s channel also expressed gratitude towards its audience, noting, “We appreciate all those who engage thoughtfully with the spirit of the show. Your feedback continues to help us refine and improve what we’ve built over the years. The Small Council will continue with all non-CSK games as usual.”
As the IPL 2025 season progresses, fans and followers of Ashwin’s channel can look forward to continued coverage of the tournament, albeit without the insights on CSK’s performances. The cricketing world will be watching closely to see how this decision impacts the discourse around the IPL and the teams involved.