Ravichandran Ashwin announces retirement from international cricket

Indian cricketer Ravichandran Ashwin has announced his retirement from all formats of international cricket after the conclusion of the third Test of the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy.

The 38-year-old all-rounder has confirmed he will not participate in the remaining two Tests of the series as well. However, he will continue to play at club level and is set to represent the Chennai Super Kings in the 2025 Indian Premier League season.

Ashwin made his Test debut for India in 2011 against the West Indies and went on to play 105 Test matches. He also represented India in 116 ODIs and 65 T20Is. Known as one of India’s greatest match-winners in home conditions, Ashwin has taken 537 wickets in Tests (including 37 five-wicket hauls), 156 wickets in ODIs, and 72 wickets in T20Is. He has also been a reliable lower-order batter for India, scoring 3,503 runs in Test cricket with six centuries. He is widely regarded as India’s best spinner of his generation and behind only Anil Kumble in the number of wickets taken in Tests for India.

One of India’s modern cricketing great, Ashwin concludes his illustrious career with two Asia Cup titles (2010 and 2016), an ODI World Cup (2011), and the 2013 ICC Champions Trophy. He also secured some notable individual awards along the way, including the ICC Men’s Cricketer of the Year and ICC Men’s Test Cricketer of the Year awards in 2016.

Speaking on his retirement in the post-match conference, Ashwin said: 

“I do feel that there is a bit of punch left in me as a cricketer but I would like to showcase that at club-level cricket. I’ve had a lot of fun; I’ve created a lot of memories alongside Rohit and my other teammates.
Most importantly Rohit, Virat, Ajinkya, and Pujara have taken those splendid catches around the bat to give me the number of wickets I’ve managed to get over the years.

“The Australian cricket team has been a very fierce competitor, and I’ve enjoyed my time playing against them. It’s truly a very emotional moment, it’s a game that’s given me everything.“

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BCCI issued a statement thanking Ashwin on social media, confirming his retirement: 

“Thank You Ashwin. A name synonymous with mastery, wizardry, brilliance, and innovation. The ace spinner and #TeamIndia’s invaluable all-rounder announces his retirement from international cricket. Congratulations on a legendary career, @ashwinravi99.”