Indian cricket legend R. Ashwin announced his retirement from international cricket following the third Test match against Australia in Brisbane on Wednesday. The 38-year-old spinner made the decision public during a post-match press conference alongside captain Rohit Sharma after the match ended in a draw. Ashwin, who had played the second match of the five-Test series in Adelaide, was replaced by Ravindra Jadeja for the Brisbane Test.
Ashwin retires as India’s second-highest wicket-taker in Tests, with 537 wickets from 106 matches, trailing only Anil Kumble (619 wickets). While stepping down from international cricket, Ashwin will continue his career in T20 leagues, representing Chennai Super Kings in the 2025 IPL.
“I won’t take too much of your time. Today will be the last day for me as an India cricketer,” Ashwin said in the press conference, before declining to take any questions and leaving. Rohit Sharma later expressed full support for Ashwin’s decision, saying, “He was very, very sure of his decision. We should stand by what he wants.”
Ashwin shared an emotional moment with star batter Virat Kohli in the dressing room before making the announcement. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) paid tribute to him on social media, describing him as “a name synonymous with mastery, wizardry, brilliance, and innovation.”
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Ashwin’s retirement marks the end of an era for Indian cricket, as he leaves behind a legacy of excellence in the Test format. From 2014 to 2019, he was a key figure in India’s rise to the top of world cricket. Particularly dominant in home conditions, Ashwin’s contributions with both bat and ball were pivotal to India’s success.
In white-ball cricket, Ashwin made 181 appearances, claiming 228 wickets. He played 116 One Day Internationals (ODIs), taking 156 wickets at an average of 33.20, with a best performance of 4/25. He also contributed 707 runs at an average of 16.44, including a half-century. In T20 internationals, Ashwin made 65 appearances, taking 72 wickets at an average of 23.22, with best figures of 4/8. He also scored 184 runs in 19 innings at an average of 26.28, with a highest score of 31.
With 765 wickets across 287 matches, Ashwin is India’s second-highest wicket-taker across all formats, behind Kumble (953). He also played a key role in India’s victories in the 2011 ICC World Cup and the 2013 Champions Trophy. His retirement leaves a significant void, one that future generations of cricketers will strive to fill.
