By: Aditya Ahuja
India’s spin maestro, Ravichandran Ashwin, announced his retirement from international cricket across all formats after the third Test against Australia in Brisbane ended in a draw on Wednesday.
Ashwin, one of India’s most successful bowlers, retires with an impressive 537 wickets from 106 Test matches, making him the second-highest wicket-taker among Indian bowlers, behind only Anil Kumble, who has 619 wickets.
Although Ashwin was not selected for the opening Test in Perth, he made a return to the team for the day-night second Test in Adelaide, where he took a solitary wicket. That match ultimately proved to be his final Test appearance after he was omitted from the lineup for the Brisbane game.
“This will be my last day as an Indian cricketer in all formats at the international level,” the 38-year-old Ashwin said, addressing the media 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 at the club level.”
Ashwin, who has been a key figure in India’s success over the years, expressed his gratitude for the memories created alongside teammates, including India captain Rohit Sharma. “I had a lot of fun. I must say, I created a lot of memories alongside Rohit and several of my other teammates,” he added, with Sharma standing by his side.
Apart from his remarkable Test career, Ashwin has also played 116 One-Day Internationals (ODIs) and 65 Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is), taking a total of 765 wickets across all formats.
Known for his skillful off-spin, Ashwin was a match-winner on India’s turning tracks and also emerged as a reliable Test all-rounder, scoring six centuries in the format.