Ravichandran Ashwin’s legendary cricketing career
India’s premier off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin on Wednesday surprised the cricketing world by announcing his retirement with immediate effect in the middle of the Test series against Australia. Ravichandran Ashwin retires from the game as the second highest wicket-taker for India in Tests with 537 scalps in 106 games, leaving him only behind Anil Kumble (619 wickets). He will continue to play club cricket. In his final press-conference, alongside an emotional India captain Rohit Sharma, Ravichandran Ashwin broke his retirement news.
It was quite an emotional moment for Ashwin and his family at that time, and while giving guard of honor during his 100th test match, Rohit Sharma hugged Ravichandran Ashwin which created quite a news at that time.
Ravichandran Ashwin took nine wickets in that Test match, with four in the first innings and five in the second and was going great guns before the New Zealand series. He could not live upto his billing in the New Zealand series, and that probably triggered his retirement call.
To possess 537 wickets, currently seventh in the all-time list, 37 five-wicket hauls, and 3503 runs with six hundreds, mark Ravichandran Ashwin as a great in Tests. It is a format he embraced well even if his initial foray into the spotlight were through his spells in the Indian Premier League (IPL). In ODIs, Ashwin bagged 156 wickets and made a belated comeback too, such was his zeal to compete.
While Indian off-spinner R Ashwin announced his retirement from international cricket after the third Test match of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy at the Gabba, the world’s seven highest wicket-takers in Test cricket ended with a total of 537 Test wickets. With 115 of those 537 wickets coming against Australia at an average of 28.58 in 23 Tests, R Ashwin was one of the leading wicket-takers in Test matches against Australia in the last 13 years.
The Indian off-spinner ended with an average of 24 and a strike rate of 50.73 in Test matches taking those 537 wickets. R Ashwin had taken a total of 383 out of 537 wickets in Test cricket while playing in India. The 38-year-old had taken a total of 75 wickets in 12 Test matches against Australia playing in India and his tally of 115 wickets against Australia in Test cricket is highest among all the countries he played against. Ashwin also thanked the Australian cricket team for being fierce competitors.
Ravichandran Ashwin’s mid-way retirement during the Australia series has brought back memories of similar decisions by MS Dhoni and Anil Kumble in the past. However, R Ashwin will continue to play in IPL as he has retired only from international cricket and was recently bought by CSK in IPL 2025 Mega Auction.
Australian pacer Mitchell Starc, who currently stands on the 23rd spot in list of highest wicket-takers in Test cricket, called R Ashwin as a thorn for their side in India.
Australian pacer Mitchell Starc reacts to Ravichandran Ashwin’s sudden retirement after BGT 2024-25 3rd Test
Following Ravichandran Ashwin’s retirement, Australia’s pace spearhead Mitchell Starc has acknowledged that the Indian has been a thorn in their flesh even in the ongoing series played Down Under. However, the 34-year-old stated that the off-spinner’s international numbers speak for the fantastic career he has had.
After the third Test at the Gabba in Brisbane, Ashwin appeared at the press conference alongside Rohit Sharma to announce that he is bidding adieu to international cricket. The 106-Test veteran played his final red-ball game at the highest level in Adelaide.
Speaking to SEN Sports, Starc disclosed that Ashwin’s retirement is arguably a massive development and observed how the 38-year-old is a player with plenty of humility. He said (via India Today):
“Obviously, it’s big news. His numbers speak for themselves. He’s been an incredible bowler for India for a long time. He’s got over 500 wickets. He’s got a close working relationship with Nathan and mutual respect between teams for someone of his calibre. Congratulations on his career.
“I mean, he’s always been a bit of a thorn in the flesh for our side over in India and played a part in series here in Australia. So yeah, it’s been a fantastic career and I’m sure it’ll be celebrated that way.”
The Tamil Nadu-born cricketer was part of India’s squad that won back-to-back series in Australia in 2018-19 and 2020-21. In 11 Tests Down Under, he snared 40 scalps at 42.43.
Speaking in his retirement press conference, here’s what the champion off-spinner said, as quoted by ESPN Cricinfo:
“This will be my last day as an Indian cricketer in all formats at the international level. I do feel there’s a bit of punch left in me as a cricketer, but I would like to express that and probably showcase that in club-level cricket, but this will be the last day [for India].”
Meanwhile, the five-Test series between Australia and India is still locked at 1-1 after the third game in Brisbane resulted in a draw.
While his career was defined by extraordinary achievements, Ravichandran Ashwin also shared a competitive rivalry with several Australian players, including Starc. Despite the on-field battles, his skill and cricketing intelligence earned widespread respect from opponents and teammates alike.
R Ashwin’s retirement leaves a significant void in the Indian lineup, particularly in Test cricket, where he was often the go-to bowler in challenging situations. The cricketing world will undoubtedly miss his presence, but his legacy as one of the game’s all-time greats will endure.