Ravichandran Ashwin, one of India’s most celebrated cricketers, announced his retirement from international cricket on December 18, 2024, following the third Test against Australia in Brisbane.
Ashwin concluded an illustrious 14-year career, ending as India’s second-highest Test wicket-taker with 537 dismissals in 106 matches.
Currently ranked 5th in the ICC Test rankings for bowlers and 3rd for all-rounders, Ashwin featured in only one of the three matches played in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia—the day-night Test in Adelaide. However, he struggled to make an impact, managing just one wicket and scoring 22 runs in the first innings and 7 in the second. India’s loss in the match further highlighted his challenges overseas.
Given the conditions in Australia, Ashwin’s place in the XI was uncertain throughout the series, with team management preferring other options due to his inconsistent overseas performances. Of his 537 Test wickets, a staggering 383 came on Indian soil at an average of 21.57. He played 26 Tests in SENA countries (South Africa, England, New Zealand, and Australia), picking up 72 wickets.
“This will be my final day as an India cricketer in all formats,” Ashwin announced during a press conference after the drawn Test in Brisbane, flanked by captain Rohit Sharma. He declined to take questions and left immediately after making his statement.
“It’s an emotional moment for me. Please forgive me for not asking questions. Thank you for the kind words—and the occasional harsh ones too,” Ashwin quipped, receiving a standing ovation as he exited the room.
Ashwin will return to India tomorrow but will continue playing club cricket, including representing the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in the Indian Premier League (IPL) next season.
Earlier, Ashwin shared an emotional moment with Virat Kohli in the dressing room, sparking widespread reactions on social media. The two were seen sharing a heartfelt conversation, with Ashwin visibly emotional before breaking into laughter.
The BCCI honored Ashwin’s achievements with a tribute, describing him as “a name synonymous with mastery, wizardry, brilliance, and innovation.”
The Tamil Nadu-born spinner claimed 765 wickets across all formats, making him the second-highest Indian wicket-taker behind Anil Kumble (956) and 11th overall.
“I feel there’s still some cricket left in me, but I will showcase that in club-level matches. I’ve had a lot of fun and created unforgettable memories with Rohit and my teammates,” Ashwin remarked.
Reflecting on his career, Ashwin mentioned several former teammates like Ajinkya Rahane and Cheteshwar Pujara, saying, “We are among the last of the old guard left in the dressing room. I’ll mark this as the day I bow out at this level.”
Ashwin played 116 ODIs for India, taking 156 wickets, and featured in 65 T20Is, where he picked up 72 scalps. Debuting in ODIs in 2010, he transitioned to Test cricket the following year. His international journey began after excelling in the IPL with CSK under MS Dhoni, who often handed him a new ball during Powerplay overs.
Ashwin’s Test debut against the West Indies in 2011 was remarkable, with him claiming a five-wicket haul. His guile, turn, and bounce made him a force to reckon with, particularly on subcontinent pitches.
The 38-year-old recorded 37 five-wicket hauls in Tests, the second-most after Muttiah Muralitharan (67). He also is the fastest bowler to reach 250, 300, and 350 Test wickets.
With six Test centuries to his name, Ashwin is among the elite club of players to score 3,000 runs and take 500 wickets in Tests, alongside Shane Warne and Stuart Broad. His 11 Man of the Series awards in Tests are the joint-most alongside Muralitharan.
During the 2015-16 season, Ashwin claimed 48 wickets and scored 336 runs in eight Tests, earning the ICC Cricketer of the Year and Test Cricketer of the Year awards in 2016. He was later named in the ICC Test Team of the Decade (2011-20).
Ashwin was also the first bowler to claim 100 wickets in the World Test Championship and leads the tally with 195 dismissals in 41 matches. Australian spinner Nathan Lyon trails closely with 190 wickets.
In 106 Tests, Ashwin scored 3,503 runs at an average of 25.75. His innings of 113 against Bangladesh in Chennai earlier this year were among his many contributions with the bat. One of his most iconic moments came during the 2021 Sydney Test, where he and Hanuma Vihari, both injured, batted heroically to secure a draw for India.
Off the field, Ashwin nurtures young talent through his “Gen-Next Cricket Institute” in Chennai. His memoir, I Have the Streets: A Kutti Cricket Story, co-written with Sidharth Monga and released in June 2024, offers a deep dive into his life and cricketing journey.