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Ravichandran Ashwin’s retirement has shocked the cricketing world as one of India’s all-time greats officially announces his departure from international cricket following the third Test of the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 at the Gabba. The dramatic draw at Brisbane will now be remembered as the stage for his heartfelt goodbye.
Over his illustrious 14-year career, Ashwin’s retirement marks the end of a journey that redefined the art of spin bowling. With 537 wickets in 106 Test matches, including an incredible 37 five-wicket hauls, he stands as India’s second-highest wicket-taker in Tests.
His skills with the bat also made him a reliable Test all-rounder, contributing six centuries and countless valuable runs lower down the order. He was often ranked as the ICC’s top Test all-rounder.
Ashwin’s brilliance extended to ODIs and T20Is, where he scalped 156 wickets in 116 ODIs and 72 dismissals in 65 T20Is. However, his dominance in the World Test Championship (WTC) era is unparalleled. As the first bowler to breach 100 WTC wickets and the current leader with 195 dismissals, Ashwin’s retirement leaves a void in India’s Test cricket supremacy.
With Ashwin’s retirement, the cricketing world bids adieu to a player who embodied innovation, adaptability, and unmatched cricketing intellect. As India celebrates his incredible career, fans reflect on the legacy he leaves behind.
Thank you, Ashwin, for 14 unforgettable years of magic, records, and memories. As we mark Ashwin’s retirement, we celebrate not just the cricketer but the legend.
R Ashwin’s Iconic Memories: 2013 Champions Trophy to SCG Masterclass
Champions Trophy 2013: Ashwin’s Nerves of Steel in the Final Over
It has been 10 years since Ravichandran Ashwin bowled the famous final over in the Champions Trophy 2013 final. England needed 15 runs off the last 6 balls, and the pressure was on Ashwin.
But he stayed calm, mixed up his deliveries, and outsmarted the English batters. India won the match by 5 runs, lifting the trophy. That over showed Ashwin’s ability to handle pressure and make smart decisions when it mattered most.
T20 World Cup 2022: Ashwin’s Winning Calm Against Pakistan
In the 2022 T20 World Cup match against Pakistan, India needed 2 runs off the last ball. Ashwin came to the crease and faced Mohammad Nawaz. He calmly let a wide ball go, earning an extra run. Then, needing just 1 run, Ashwin lofted the next ball over mid-on to win the match. His cool thinking and smart play turned a tense moment into an unforgettable victory.
Ashwin’s career is full of such moments, where his intelligence and calmness helped India win important games. He will always be remembered as a player who delivered when the pressure was highest.
The SCG Test: Ashwin’s Grit and Glory in a Historic Draw
One of the most iconic moments in Indian cricket history came during the 2021 SCG Test against Australia, where Ravichandran Ashwin displayed remarkable resilience. Battling a painful back injury, Ashwin faced 128 balls to score an unbeaten 39, helping India draw the match.
Ashwin’s partnership with Hanuma Vihari, which lasted 256 balls, was key to India’s survival. Their 62-run alliance became one of the longest partnerships for the sixth wicket in a fourth-innings Test.
This innings earned Ashwin a spot among the top five players for most balls faced by an India No. 7 in a fourth innings. The determination shown by Ashwin and Vihari in that match will forever be remembered as a true display of grit and character.
R Ashwin’s Record-Breaking Journey: A Legend in Numbers
Ravichandran Ashwin’s illustrious Test career is filled with incredible records that highlight his genius:
- Second Highest Wicket-Taker for India: With 537 Test wickets, Ashwin stands behind only Anil Kumble (619) in India’s all-time rankings and ranks 7th in the world overall.
- Home Dominance: He claimed 475 wickets in India, just one behind Kumble’s record of 476.
- Player of the Series: Ashwin has won 11 Player of the Series awards, the most in Test cricket history and 7th overall across all formats.
- Fastest to Milestones: He is the second fastest to reach 500 Test wickets, doing so in just 98 matches.
- All-Round Test Feats: Ashwin is one of only four Indians to score a century and take a five-wicket haul in the same Test match.
- Prolific Five-Wicket Hauls: He has 37 five-wicket hauls, ranking second globally behind Muttiah Muralitharan.
- Master of Bowled Dismissals: Ashwin’s 109 bowled dismissals are the 4th highest in Test cricket.
- Ben Stokes’ Nemesis: Ashwin has dismissed Ben Stokes 13 times in Tests, the most by any Indian bowler against a single batter.
Post-Ashwin’s Retirement: What’s in Store for Team India?
Ravichandran Ashwin’s retirement marks the end of an era in Indian cricket. A masterful spinner and a thinking cricketer, Ashwin’s contributions with both ball and bat redefined the role of an all-rounder.
His retirement creates a massive void, especially in Test cricket, where his tactical brilliance often outfoxed the best batters. Ashwin’s departure also paves the way for young talents like Washington Sundar, who now has the opportunity to step up as India’s spinning all-rounder. Sundar’s calm demeanor and ability to contribute in challenging conditions could be key to India’s transition phase.
As Indian cricket looks ahead, Ashwin’s legacy will continue to inspire the next generation of cricketers. His unmatched intellect and skill will remain a benchmark for years to come.