Ravichandran Ashwin, one of India’s most iconic spinners, has officially retired from international cricket following the third Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia. The match, which ended in a draw due to rain, marked the conclusion of Ashwin’s illustrious career. The 37-year-old spinner, who did not feature in the Brisbane Test or the series opener in Perth, shared his decision during a press conference alongside Indian captain Rohit Sharma.
Gambhir’s Heartfelt Tribute
Indian head coach Gautam Gambhir took to social media platform X (formerly Twitter) to honor Ashwin’s incredible journey. In a moving post, Gambhir expressed admiration for the bowler’s legacy:
“The privilege of seeing you grow from a young bowler to a legend of modern cricket is something I wouldn’t trade for the world! I know that generations of bowlers to come will say, ‘I became a bowler because of Ashwin.’ You will be missed, brother! @ashwinravi99,” he wrote.
Ashwin’s Glittering Career
Ashwin bids farewell to the sport with an extraordinary record of 537 wickets in Test cricket, making him the second-highest wicket-taker for India, only behind Anil Kumble’s 619. Across all formats, Ashwin has claimed 765 wickets, a feat bettered only by Kumble’s 953 in Indian cricket history.
The off-spinner’s Test career is marked by an impressive 37 five-wicket hauls in just 106 matches, tying him with Australian legend Shane Warne, who achieved the feat in 145 games. Muttiah Muralitharan, with 67 five-wicket hauls, leads the all-time list. Ashwin’s remarkable strike rate of 50.7 balls per wicket places him in the top 10 among bowlers with over 200 Test wickets, making him the highest-ranked spinner on the list.
A Lasting Legacy
Reflecting on his retirement, Ashwin said during the press conference, “I won’t take too much of your time. Today will be my last day as an India cricketer.” His decision marks the end of an era for Indian cricket, as the team bids farewell to a true match-winner and a stalwart of the game.
With his mastery of spin, tactical brilliance, and unwavering commitment, Ashwin leaves behind a legacy that will inspire generations of cricketers to come.
