Ravichandran Ashwin announces retirement from international cricket

Ravichandran Ashwin announces retirement from international cricket

Ravichandran Ashwin on Wednesday announced retirement from international cricket across all formats. Ashwin made the announcement in the post-match presser after the third Test against Australia, which ended in a draw, as he joined skipper Rohit Sharma.

Ashwin will, however, continue to take part in domestic and franchise leagues, having been roped in by Chennai Super Kings, his former team, for Rs 9.75 crore in the IPL 2025 auction held in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia last month.

"I didn't wanted to make this about myself, it would have been better if (Jasprit) Bumrah or Akash Deep was here but Rohit is unfortunate to have me along his side. This will be my last day as Indian cricketer in all format in the international level. I do feel there is a bit of punch left in me as a cricketer but I would probably like to showcase it at the club level," said the 38-year-old.

Ashwin retires as the second-highest wicket taker for India in Tests. The carrom-ball specialist accounted for 537 wickets in 106 matches, only behind legendary Anil Kumble, who has 619 wickets from 132 appearances. He played a pivotal role in helping India secure the top spot in ICC Test rankings.

“I have made a lot of memories alongside Rohit and several of my team-mates, even though we’ve lost some of them (to retirements) over the last few years. We’re the last bunch of OGs, we can say that. I will be marking this as my date of having played at this level. Obviously there are a lot of people to thank, but I will be failing in my duties if I didn’t thank the BCCI and fellow team-mates,” the spinner added.

Ashwin then hugged Rohit before leaving the room. He was earlier seen exchanging a close moment with Virat Kohli inside the dressing room when the play was stopped on Day 5 in Brisbane due to rain. Kohli was seated next to him with his arms on the spinner's shoulders, following which the two also shared a hug.

This will be my last day as an Indian cricketer in all formats of the game pic.twitter.com/wFgbOK4l7M
Rajasthan Royals (@rajasthanroyals) December 18, 2024

If we look at Ashwin's stats in limited overs, he has 116 ODI and 65 T20I appearances, in which he has scalped 156 and 72 wickets respectively.

Ashwin's final appearance in international circuit came against Australia during the pink-ball Test at Adelaide, which India lost by 10 wickets. Ashwin had then accounted for one wicket.

Ashwin was part of India's 2011 World Cup-winning squad and contributed significantly in India's two World Test Championship finals.

Ashwin's credentials as a reliable batting option

Ashwin's brilliance was not limited to the ball as he arguably one of India's most handy custodians with the bat, the latest being the first Test against Bangladesh at in Chennai earlier this year. He along with Ravindra Jadeja had then stitched 195 runs for the seventh-wicket, allowing India to make a comeback in the match. Ashwin had then scored 113 off 133 balls.

If we look at his overall tally, Ashwin has six Test hundreds and 14 half-centuries, supporting his credentials as a reliable batting option. In ODIs too he has one half-century under his name.