Ravichandran Ashwin, India’s star off-spinner, has announced his retirement from international cricket, concluding his illustrious career as the country’s second-highest wicket-taker in Test matches. At 38, Ashwin made his decision public following India’s draw in the 4th Test against Australia in Brisbane, marking the end of a remarkable 13-year journey with the Indian cricket team. With 537 wickets, Ashwin trails only the legendary Anil Kumble, who holds the record with 619 wickets. Ashwin will return to India tomorrow. In his final post-match press conference, Ashwin reflected on his remarkable career: “I don’t want this to be about me. Today is my last day as an international cricketer. I’ve had the privilege of creating countless memories over the years. We are the last group of OGs in the dressing room. I’m deeply grateful to the BCCI, my teammates, and all the coaches for their support.
Though this is my farewell from international cricket, I’ll continue playing club cricket. It’s been an incredible journey, and I’ve truly enjoyed every moment.” Rumors about Ashwin’s retirement began circulating after an emotional moment between him and Virat Kohli during a rain delay on Day 5, where Kohli shared a heartfelt embrace with a visibly moved Ashwin. Ashwin was also seen interacting with Australian spinner Nathan Lyon, which added fuel to the speculations. The whispers grew louder when former India captain Sunil Gavaskar subtly hinted at Ashwin’s retirement during a live broadcast, a prediction that was later confirmed.Ashwin’s retirement comes during the ongoing India-Australia Test series.
He featured in only one Test of the current Border-Gavaskar Trophy, playing in the second Test in Adelaide, which Australia won by ten wickets. In that match, Ashwin claimed just one wicket and scored 22 and 7 with the bat. Ashwin’s legacy in Indian cricket is undeniable. Over the course of 106 Tests, 116 ODIs, and 65 T20Is, he claimed 775 wickets across all formats. His Test bowling average stands at 24, with a strike rate of 50.7, and he boasts 37 five-wicket hauls. As the seventh-highest wicket-taker in Test history and the leading off-spinner in the format, Ashwin’s retirement marks the end of an era, though Nathan Lyon is set to surpass his record in the near future.
