Ravichandran Ashwin, India’s Off-Spinner, Retires from International Cricket

India’s off-spinner, Ravichandran Ashwin, has announced his retirement from international cricket. The 38-year-old, who ranks as the seventh-highest wicket-taker in Test history, declared his retirement following the conclusion of the drawn third Test match against Australia in Brisbane. Ashwin, who was not part of the playing XI for that particular match, garnered widespread recognition as one of the modern game’s prominent figures throughout his 14-year career representing India. He accumulated 537 wickets at an average of 24 across 106 Test matches, a total surpassed among Indian bowlers only by Anil Kumble’s 619 wickets. Additionally, he registered six centuries and maintained a batting average of 25.75. At a news conference held at the Gabba, Ashwin stated: “This will be my last day as an Indian cricketer in all formats in the international level.” He further added: “I do feel there’s a bit of punch left in me as a cricketer, but I would like to showcase that in club level cricket.” In one-day internationals, Ashwin claimed 156 wickets at an average of 33.20 over 116 appearances, and in 65 T20 matches, he secured 72 wickets with an average of 23.22. He was a member of the squad that triumphed in the 2011 World Cup, hosted in India, despite participating in only two matches. His legacy will predominantly be defined by his achievements in Test cricket; his record of 37 five-wicket hauls is second only to that of the Sri Lankan legend Muttiah Muralitharan. Ashwin led the wicket-taking charts in India’s three most recent series encounters with England, notably securing 24 wickets during this year’s 4-1 home series victory. Captain Rohit Sharma revealed that Ashwin had contemplated retirement prior to the Australia tour, but Sharma persuaded him to continue playing. Ashwin was omitted from the squad for the first Test and managed to take one wicket in the second. Rohit commented: “He was very sure about what he wanted to do and the team has complete backing of his thought process.” He continued: “He’s had so many big moments with the Indian team and he’s been a big match-winner for us.” Rohit concluded: “He’s allowed to make these decisions, and if it is now, so be it.” Virat Kohli, Ashwin’s former captain and current teammate, expressed: “I’ve played with you for 14 years and when you told me today you’re retiring, it made me a bit emotional and the flashbacks of all those years playing together came to me.” Kohli added: “I’ve enjoyed every bit of the journey with you Ash. Your skill and match-winning contributions to Indian cricket are second to none and you will always and always be remembered as a legend of Indian cricket. “Wish you nothing but the best in your life with your family and everything else that it unfolds for you.”” He concluded his statement with: “With massive respect and lots of love to you and your close ones. Thanks for everything buddy.” Australia’s captain, Pat Cummins, stated that Ashwin “go down as one of the all-time greats.” Cummins remarked: “He’s obviously been a fantastic player all around the world,” adding, “There aren’t that many finger spinners that have that kind of longevity.” He further noted: “There’s a massive respect from our changing room for the career that he’s had.” India coach Gautam Gambhir, who was a teammate of Ashwin, posted on X: “The privilege of seeing you grow from a young bowler to a legend of modern cricket is something that I wouldn’t trade for the world.” Gambhir concluded his post by saying: “I know that generations of bowlers to come will say that I became a bowler because of Ashwin.”