Ravichandran Ashwin's return to the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) is not unfolding as anticipated. The experienced off-spinner conceded 46 runs against the Rajasthan Royals on Sunday in Guwahati, prompting former England captain Michael Vaughan to comment that contemporary players no longer respect reputations, believing they can score boundaries with every delivery in the shorter format.

In IPL 2025, Ashwin has claimed three wickets with an economy rate of 9.90, yet he appears to be a shadow of his former self. During the match against the Rajasthan Royals, Nitish Rana particularly targeted Ashwin, effortlessly hitting him for multiple boundaries.

The 38-year-old concluded his international career in December 2024 after the Brisbane Test against Australia, and fans were eager to see how he would perform in CSK's yellow jersey.

"A few years back, players likely showed him considerable respect in team discussions, aiming to score around 24 to 28 runs off him while minimizing his wicket-taking opportunities. Nowadays, however, the mindset has shifted to how they can dominate him. They approach it as if he’s not a threat," Vaughan remarked to Cricbuzz.

"They have likely analyzed his deliveries extensively, allowing them to read him better. This improved recognition gives them a greater chance to hit the ball. I believe the mentality has evolved; if the ball is in their hitting zone, they simply disregard any concerns," he added.

'Name's irrelevant'

Ashwin commenced the IPL 2025 season with a commendable performance, achieving figures of 1/31 as CSK secured a four-wicket victory over the Mumbai Indians. However, in the subsequent match against the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), Phil Salt aggressively targeted Ashwin during the powerplay, leaving the seasoned spinner seemingly at a loss for solutions.

"We don't focus on who the player is. The name is inconsequential. It's simply about the ball coming towards you. Maintaining this mindset is crucial. We always emphasized the importance of facing the ball rather than the name behind it. It was quite amusing to say this to an England team facing Shane Warne," Vaughan remarked.

"It can be challenging to persuade players to concentrate solely on the ball, but I believe that contemporary players genuinely adopt this approach, recognizing that they can hit it regardless of the name associated with it," he continued.

CSK acquired Ashwin during last year's mega auction for INR 9.75 crore. Currently, the franchise finds itself in seventh place on the points table after enduring consecutive defeats against RCB and the Rajasthan Royals.

Read Also: Rayudu Reacts to CSK’s Dismal IPL 2025 Start: "It Was Painful to Witness"

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