Ravichandran Ashwin Retirement: Virat Kohli was seen hugging R Ashwin just ahead of announcement of retirement on Day 5 of Brisbane Test on Wednesday. (Screengrab)
Spin legend R Ashwin announces retirement: India’s premier spinner Ravichandran Ashwin on Wednesday announced his retirement from international cricket at the end of the third Border-Gavaskar Trophy Test in Brisbane on Wednesday.
With the series level at 1-1, Ashwin announced his retirement after featuring in the second Test in Adelaide. The veteran off-spinner was seen having a lengthy chat in the dressing room with senior batter and former India captain Virat Kohli during a rain break after Tea on Day 5, following which they shared an emotional embrace.
“This will be my last day as an Indian cricketer in all formats in the international level,” the 38-year-old told reporters at the Gabba.
“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. I had a lot of fun. I must say, I created a lot of memories alongside Rohit (Sharma) and several of my other teammates,” he added with the India captain by his side. Rohit confirmed later that Ashwin will fly home on Thursday.
Watch R Ashwin’s speech in his press conference:
Ravichandran Ashwin announces his retirement from all forms of international cricket.
Congratulations on a brilliant career 👏 pic.twitter.com/UHWAFmMwC0
— 7Cricket (@7Cricket) December 18, 2024
Ashwin drew curtains to an illustrious 14-year career, finishing as India’s second-highest Test wicket-taker, with 537 scalps in 106 Tests. The 38-year-old bagged 37 Test five-fors, only second to Muttiah Muralidaran (67).
🫂💙🇮🇳
Emotional moments from the Indian dressing room 🥹#AUSvINDOnStar #BorderGavaskarTrophy #Ashwin #ViratKohli pic.twitter.com/92a4NqNsyP
— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) December 18, 2024
A part of India’s ODI World Cup and Champions Trophy wins in 2011 and 2013, Ashwin’s international career spanned 287 games since debut in 2010. The Tamil Nadu spinner bagged 765 wickets across formats, the second-highest behind Anil Kumble’s 956 scalps and the 11th-highest overall.
READ MORE: As R Ashwin retires, here are the top 15 records of India’s premier match-winner
Ashwin leaves India’s spin quartet at the top of the game, having dominated the World Test Championship over three cycles. Ashwin was the first bowler to record 100 WTC wickets and is currently the highest-wicket taker with 195 scalps from in 41 matches, followed by Australia’s Nathan Lyon (190).
Ravichandran Ashwin announces his retirement from all forms of international cricket.
Congratulations on a brilliant career 👏 pic.twitter.com/UHWAFmMwC0
— 7Cricket (@7Cricket) December 18, 2024
Ahead of Day 5’s play at Gabba, offie Lyon was effusive in his praise of his Indian counterpart. “Nothing but respect. Just the way Ash has conducted himself on and off the field for a number of years now, and his skillset is incredible. We’ve got different opinions on different things, there’s no right or wrong. But to have those conversations with a bowler like Ashwin is amazing. From different variations to different tactics, understanding what he’s trying to do. We are both very different. So our conversation this morning was brilliant and I hope we have more through the series and in the future as well,” said Lyon.
Ashwin, however, is expected to continue featuring in franchise cricket after recently securing a homecoming with his first Indian Premier League team, Chennai Super Kings, with a Rs 9.75 crore signing in the IPL 2025 Mega Auction last month.
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