Ravichandran Ashwin: Legendary spinner announces emotional retirement from international cricket

Ravichandran Ashwin: Legendary spinner announces emotional retirement from international cricket

Legendary off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has announced his retirement from international cricket. After the 3rd test at the Gabba Cricket Stadium was drawn, Ravichandran Ashwin announced his retirement, saying that this was his last day as a cricketer for India. But he will continue to play club cricket, including IPL. He will return to play for the IPL franchise Chennai Super Kings in IPL 2025.

When the match stopped on day 5 of the 3rd Test, the members of Team India were present in the dressing room. Ravichandran Ashwin was sitting with Virat Kohli and was saying something emotional with tearful eyes, to which Kohli smiled and hugged him.

Ashwin said in a joint press conference with captain Rohit Sharma after the third Test was drawn in Brisbane, ‘I will not take much of your time. This is my last day as a cricketer of the Indian team.’

After Ashwin left, Rohit said, ‘He is very confident about his decision. We should respect his wish.’ Before announcing his retirement, he was seen getting emotional with Virat Kohli in the dressing room. BCCI wrote on the X, ‘Ashwin has been synonymous with dexterity, skill, talent and innovation.’

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‘I have played with you for 14 years, and when you told me that you are retiring today, it made me a little emotional, and memories of all those years of playing together came to my mind. I have enjoyed every moment of the journey with you. Ash, your skill and match-winning contribution to Indian cricket are second to none and you will always be remembered as a legend of Indian cricket. All the best to your family and to all that comes your way in life. With great respect and lots of love to you and your loved ones. Thank you for everything, friend!

The 38-year-old spinner is the second-highest wicket-taker for India. He has a total of 537 Test wickets to his name. He is only behind Anil Kumble (619 wickets). In Test cricket, he has taken 5 wickets in an innings for India the most number of times, 37 times. At the same time, he has won the most Player of the Series awards (11 times), which is equal to Muralitharan. As a spinner, his bowling strike rate is 50.7 (200+ wickets), which is the highest.

Ravichandran Ashwin’s bowling record in Tests has been quite impressive. This spinner from Tamil Nadu made his Test debut against the West Indies in Delhi in November 2011 and has been in the Test team continuously since then. Ashwin has taken 537 wickets in 106 Test matches at an average of 24.00. During this time, Ashwin took five wickets in an inning 37 times. At the same time, he took 10 wickets in a match 8 times. His best performance in an inning is 7/59. While his best performance in a Test match has been 13/140.

The 38-year-old legendary spinner has taken 156 wickets in 116 ODIs at an average of 33.20. His best bowling analysis in ODIs was four wickets for 25 runs. On the other hand, he took 72 wickets in 65 T20 Internationals at an average of 23.22. His best performance in T20 internationals has been four wickets for eight runs.

If we talk about batting record, the legendary spinner has been very good, especially in Test matches. Ashwin scored 3503 runs in 151 Test innings at an average of 25.75. During this, 6 centuries and 14 half-centuries came from his bat. In ODI International, he has scored 707 runs in 63 innings. Whereas in T20 International, Ashwin could score only 184 runs in 19 innings.

YOU WILL BE MISSED, ASH ANNA!