Ravichandran Ashwin Bids Farewell to International Cricket
Ravichandran Ashwin, renowned for his deceptive spin and cricketing intellect, announced his retirement from international cricket on December 18, 2024. The announcement came after India and Australia played out a draw in the third Test in Brisbane. Ashwin, at 38, shared his decision in a post-match press conference sitting next to captain Rohit Sharma. Interestingly, he did not feature in the match, with Ravindra Jadeja taking his place. Ashwin last played for India in the second Test at Adelaide during the same series.
Throughout his vibrant career, Ashwin accumulated 537 Test wickets in 106 matches, making him India's second highest Test wicket-taker. His career was not just confined to the red-ball format; he played 116 ODIs, snagging 156 wickets, and appeared in 65 T20Is, with 72 wickets under his belt. Ashwin's versatile talent saw him shine in the ODI World Cup in 2011, contributing to India's triumphant campaign. Beyond bowling, he was a skilled batsman, with 3,503 Test runs and six centuries to his name. He shared the record for the most Player of the Series awards in Tests, tying with the legendary Muthiah Muralitharan at eleven.
A Legacy of Spin and Sportsmanship
In his retirement speech, Ashwin expressed warm gratitude towards teammates like Virat Kohli, Ajinkya Rahane, and Cheteshwar Pujara, as well as a nod to Australia's fierce competitive streak. Although retiring from the international scene, he expressed his intention to continue engaging with cricket at the club level. Come 2025, fans will see him in action in the IPL, representing Chennai Super Kings, bought for ₹9.75 crore. Addressing the media, Ashwin mentioned that his decision was rooted in a decline in his 'creativity' rather than a drop in match competitiveness, and he shrugged off the need for a grand farewell match.
BCCI President Roger Binny showered praise on Ashwin, noting his crucial role in India's Test successes, especially during the World Test Championship cycles. Ashwin's departure signifies the closing of a chapter in India's rich spin-bowling tapestry, following the recent exits of other veterans like Jasprit Bumrah. His career, filled with both personal and team milestones, leaves a lasting imprint on Indian cricket.
