India off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin announced his surprise retirement from all formats of international cricket at a post-match press conference in Brisbane.
The 38-year-old was not in India’s XI for the rain-affected drawn third Test at the Gabba, but will play no further part in their bid for a fifth successive series win over Australia.
Ashwin has established himself at one of the greatest in his generation, taking 537 wickets in 106 Tests at an average of 23.95 since his debut against West Indies in November 2011.
Only Anil Kumble (619) has taken more Test wickets for India.
His incredible haul of 37 Test ‘fifers’ is second only to Sri Lanka Muttiah Muralitharan, who took 67.
While Ashwin is most famous for exploits with the ball, he was an incredibly useful batter down the order.
Hitting six centuries with a highest score of 124, he managed over 3500 runs in a 13-year Test career.
Many past and present players, including Pat Cummins, Virat Kohli, Sachin Tendulkar and Gautam Gambhir have come out and expressed admiration for Ashwin’s successful international career.
The Chennai native also played 116 ODI’s and 65 T20I’s, taking 765 wickets across all formats.
His most famous moment in an Indian white-ball shirt came in the final of the 2013 Champions Trophy against England.
Ashwin took 2/15 from four overs as India snatched victory from the jaws of defeat to win by five runs at Edgbaston.
What’s next?
The off-spinner will return to action for his beloved Chennai Super Kings at IPL 2025.
Ashwin won two IPL titles and two Champions League Twenty20 (CL20) in his seven years with the franchise.
He was purchased for a whopping 9.75 crore at the recent IPL mega auction in Saudi Arabia, reuniting him with the likes of MS Dhoni and Ravindra Jadeja.
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