The cricket community was caught off guard by Indian cricket legend Ravichandran Ashwin’s decision to retire from international play. The announcement was made by the 38-year-old off-spinner after India and Australia’s third Test match at the Gabba in Brisbane ended in a tie 2024 . His choice brings an end to a remarkable career that lasted more than 14 years and had a significant influence on Indian cricket.
Ashwin’s outstanding on-field performances, especially in Test cricket, have been a highlight of his career. Ashwin is India’s second-highest wicket-taker in the format with 537 wickets from 106 games, only surpassed by Anil Kumble. His achievement, which places him sixth on the all-time list of Test wickets worldwide, highlights his brilliance and consistency. However, Ashwin’s contributions went beyond only bowling. In Test cricket, he amassed over 3,000 runs, including six hundreds, making him a valuable all-round player. Over the years, he has been a vital member of India’s lineup thanks to his batting prowess, which increased his importance. Ashwin’s retirement date has generated a lot of conjecture and debate. Ashwin reportedly began thinking about this choice at the start of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy series against Australia 2024. Ashwin thought about retiring during the first Test match in Perth, but his coach and teammates persuaded him to play on. Even though he was one of India’s most effective bowlers, his exclusion from the starting lineup in some games probably influenced his choice in the end. His decision to quit at this point in his career may have been impacted by the changing dynamics of team selection as well as his limited opportunities.
Ashwin praised his teammates, coaches, and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) in his tearful retirement statement. He reminisced about the friendship and wonderful times he had with other players along the way, particularly Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma. There have been several highlights over his 14-year international career, including his brilliant ball-playing and pivotal batsmanship. With Ashwin’s retirement, a chapter in Indian cricket history comes to a close. Ashwin, who is well-known for his tactical awareness, keen cricketing intellect, and command of the “carrom ball,” has been a vital member of India’s spin bowling attack, especially at home. He was a great addition to Indian cricket because of his capacity to outsmart batsmen and his versatility in a range of situations. His exit signals the end of a chapter in the illustrious history of Indian cricket at a time when the team is undergoing change and a number of its older players are approaching the end of their careers.
Several cricket figures have paid their respects to Ashwin after his abrupt retirement. Virat Kohli, the former captain of India, commended Ashwin for his contributions to the squad during their 14-year tenure together. Ashwin’s reliability and his part in some of India’s biggest Test wins were praised by Kohli. Harbhajan Singh, a former spinner for India, acknowledged Ashwin’s status as one of the country’s greatest bowlers and paid appreciation to his goals and accomplishments. The former all-rounder Irfan Pathan emphasized Ashwin’s important contributions with the bat and his ranking as India’s second-highest wicket-taker in Test matches. Michael Vaughan, the former captain of England, even praised Ashwin, describing him as a bowler of the highest caliber.One of India’s most prosperous bowling careers comes to an end with Ashwin’s retirement. His reputation as one of cricket’s greatest players is well-established, and his contributions to Indian cricket have not only won the team multiple awards but also served as an inspiration to a new generation of players. His position in cricket history is guaranteed by his special blend of ability to contribute with the bat, tactical acumen, and spin expertise. Ashwin’s incredible career serves as a reminder of the influence one player can have on cricket as the cricket world comes to terms with his retirement.
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