Ravichandran Ashwin has announced his retirement from international cricket, following the conclusion of the third Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Brisbane, which ended in a draw.
In the post-match media session, Ashwin came with Rohit Sharma to announce his retirement. “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].”
Although Ashwin has confirmed that he would remain involved in the game, possibly not just as a cricketer in the IPL (he is currently with the Chennai Super Kings) or the TNPL (Dindigul Dragons). “See you soon. As a cricketer, I had simply finished playing. I might continue to be connected with the game because it has given me everything.” Ashwin said.
Ashwin was picked by CSK for INR 9.75 crore in last month’s mega auction and will play for them in IPL 2025.
“Some decisions are very personal and I don’t think too many questions should be asked or raised. If a player has [made] a choice, he has to be given that choice, and somebody like Ashwin who has been there for us for so many years is allowed to make those kind of decisions on his own and we as team-mates have to respect it. He was very sure about what he wanted to do and the team has complete backing of his thought process. Just keeping Ash in mind, giving him that respect that if this is what he thinks, we should allow him to think that way. And we should all stand by what he is thinking at this point in time.”Rohit, seated alongside Ashwin in the press conference said.
Ashwin finishes his Test career as India’s second-highest wicket-taker in the format, with 537 wickets at an average of 24 in 106 Tests, trailing only Anil Kumble, who had 619 wickets in 132 Tests.
In addition to his wickets, Ashwin scored 3503 Test runs, including 6 hundreds and 14 fifties, placing him among 11 all-rounders with over 3000 runs and 300 wickets. He also has a record of getting the most Player-of-the-Series awards (11)—tied with Muthiah Muralidaran.
Ashwin’s international career began in 2010, where, apart from tests, he also played 116 ODIs and 65 T20Is, taking 156 wickets with an average of 33.20 in ODIs and 72 wickets in T20Is. His illustrious career featured a 50-over World Cup victory in 2011 and a Champions Trophy win in 2013.
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