Ravichandran Ashwin announces his retirement from the International cricket. Ashwin finishes his Test career with 537 wickets and one of the greatest of the game.
As Ravichandran Ashwin announced his retirement from international cricket after the third Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Brisbane, cricket fans around the world bid farewell to one of the game’s sharpest minds and most versatile players. With over a decade of exceptional performances, Ashwin leaves behind a legacy that blends skill, intellect, and an insatiable hunger for greatness.
From engineer to cricketing icon
Before becoming a cricket icon, Ashwin’s early days were spent in Chennai, within a family deeply passionate about the game. His upbringing in a cricket-centric Tamil culture and a family that valued education equally laid the foundation for his future. Despite attending a school that didn’t emphasise cricket, Ashwin’s family encouraged a well-rounded development, pushing him to pursue engineering alongside cricket.
Ashwin’s journey to becoming an off-spin legend was marked by significant transformation and growth. Initially setting out to make his mark as a batter, he soon found his true calling as a bowler, known for his strategic acumen and ability to outthink batters.
His career trajectory underscores the importance of perseverance and adaptability, inspiring countless youngsters to chase their dreams, regardless of their starting point.
From street cricket to the pinnacle of Test bowling
Ashwin’s journey from playing tennis-ball cricket on the streets of Chennai to becoming the only India off-spinner with over 500 Test wickets is nothing short of extraordinary. His 537 wickets in 106 Tests, coupled with 3503 runs, make him one of the greatest all-rounders in the history of cricket.
What truly set Ashwin apart was his constant desire to improve. He made technical adjustments to his action throughout his career—a hallmark of his ability to thrive on excellence, step by step. He became a better version of himself with every passing game. Between 2015 and 2021, he averaged 20.34 in Asia, 27.00 in England, 32.26 in Australia, and 23.17 in the West Indies.
Ashwin’s peak at home came during the historic 2016/17 season, where he bagged 82 wickets in 13 Tests across four series—the most by any bowler in a single season in Test cricket history.
He was the fastest to reach 250, 300, 350 Test wickets in terms of matches played. His 37 five-wicket hauls in 106 Tests are the joint second-most in Test cricket, alongside Shane Warne, who achieved the feat in 145 matches.
Ashwin: The clutch player
Ashwin’s career is studded with heroic performances. His all-round show in the Chennai Test against England in 2021, where he scored a century and took eight wickets, was a testament to his match-winning abilities.
Similarly, his resolute partnership with Hanuma Vihari in the Sydney Test in 2021 showcased his grit and calmness under pressure. With 97 overs to survive in the day and eight wickets in hand, India scraped through under immense pressure led by the partnership between Hanuma Vihari and R Ashwin that lasted 42.4 overs for 62 runs to keep the series level on 1-1. The match will always be remembered for the resistance shown by him, taking blows on the body when the odds were against them.
In white-ball cricket, Ashwin was no less impactful. His exceptional bowling in the 2013 ICC Champions Trophy, where he conceded just 24 runs in the final against England, remains etched in memory. And who can forget his cool demeanour during the 2022 T20 World Cup match against Pakistan? With India needing two runs off the final ball, Ashwin calmly left a wide delivery and then hit a boundary on the next, leading India to a famous win.
The cricket nerd
A true cricket nerd, Ashwin thrived on his ability to evolve with the game. “The only constant in cricket is change, and if you can’t adapt, you don’t survive,” he once said. He never hesitated to experiment, adding variations like the carrom ball and leg-spin to his arsenal and constantly refining his craft.
His analytical approach was equally remarkable. Known for studying batters’ techniques and routines, Ashwin’s hunger to read the game and innovate was unparalleled.
His partnership with Ravindra Jadeja was another feather in his cap and will be remembered for the ages. Together, they took 587 wickets in 58 Tests—the most by any spin duo in cricket history.
Numbers that define greatness
Ashwin’s contribution to Indian cricket can be encapsulated in his staggering numbers:
Tests: 537 wickets at an average of 24 and a whopping 3503 runs with six centuries
ODIs: 156 wickets in 116 matches at an average of 33.20
T20Is: 72 wickets in 65 games with an economy rate of 6.90
37 five-wicket hauls in Tests: Joint second-most in cricket history
Among India bowlers, he ends second only to Anil Kumble’s 619 wickets in Tests, while his 765 wickets across formats are again bettered only by Kumble’s 953.
However, Ashwin’s retirement opens the door for the next generation of spinners. Players like Tanush Kotian, Shams Mulani, and Washington Sundar now have the opportunity to step up and fill his shoes. While replacing Ashwin is a monumental task, his career serves as an enduring blueprint for aspiring cricketers on how to evolve and excel.
A final goodbye
Reflecting on his career, Ravichandran Ashwin said, “This will be my last day as an India cricketer in all formats. I do feel there’s a bit of a punch left in me, but I’ll showcase that in club cricket.”
Ashwin’s retirement signals the end of an era, but his legacy will inspire generations of cricketers. As Indian cricket charts a new path, one thing is certain: there will never be another Ravichandran Ashwin, the cricketing genius who mastered the art of spin. India salutes one of their greatest cricketing minds, bidding farewell to an icon whose contributions will remain unmatched.
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