Ravichandran Ashwin Bids Farewell to International Cricket
Indian spinner Ravichandran Ashwin retires from international cricket, ending a legendary career with 537 Test wickets. He will continue playing for Chennai Super Kings in IPL 2025.
Ravichandran Ashwin Bids Farewell to International Cricket
Indian spinner Ravichandran Ashwin announced his retirement from international cricket after the conclusion of the third Test against Australia in Brisbane on Wednesday.
The announcement came during a post-match press conference, where he was accompanied by India’s skipper Rohit Sharma. The match ended in a draw, marking the end of an illustrious career for one of India’s finest bowlers.
Ashwin, 38, steps away as the second-highest wicket-taker for India in Test cricket, with 537 wickets in 106 matches. He trails only Anil Kumble, who claimed 619 wickets. Despite his retirement from international formats, Ashwin confirmed his continuation in T20 leagues, stating he will represent the Chennai Super Kings in the 2025 IPL season.
During the series against Australia, Ashwin played the second Test in Adelaide, taking one wicket before being replaced by Ravindra Jadeja for the Brisbane Test. Reflecting on his decision, he remarked, “This is my final day as an India cricketer,” and opted not to entertain questions before leaving the stage.
Rohit Sharma expressed his support for Ashwin’s decision, highlighting the team’s respect for his choice. Ashwin’s emotional farewell included a private moment in the dressing room with Virat Kohli. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) later praised him in a social media tribute, describing him as a pivotal figure in the sport.
While Ashwin’s Test statistics stand out, his contributions in limited-overs formats were equally significant. In 113 ODIs, he claimed 156 wickets at an average of 33.20 and recorded a best bowling figure of 4/25. With the bat, he accumulated 707 runs, including a half-century. In T20Is, he represented India in 65 matches, taking 72 wickets at an average of 23.22 and achieving a best of 4/8.
In total, Ashwin collected 765 wickets across 287 international appearances, making him India’s second-highest wicket-taker across formats, after Kumble’s 953 wickets. His accomplishments include being part of India’s victorious squads in the 2011 ICC Cricket World Cup and the 2013 Champions Trophy.
Ashwin’s career spanned more than a decade, during which he was instrumental in India’s dominance in Test cricket, particularly in home conditions.
