R Ashwin Announces Retirement: Key Stats and Highlights of His Career
R Ashwin Announces Retirement: Key Stats and Highlights of His Career
Senior Indian spinner R Ashwin has declared his retirement from international cricket after the conclusion of the third Test match against Australia.
Indian cricket team spinner R Ashwin has declared his retirement from international cricket after the conclusion of the third Test match against Australia in Brisbane on Wednesday. He shared this news during the post-match press conference alongside captain Rohit Sharma, following a match that ended in a draw.
Ashwin concludes his illustrious career as India’s second highest wicket-taker in Test cricket, having claimed 537 wickets in 106 matches, trailing only Anil Kumble, who holds the record with 619 wickets.
As Ashwin concludes his international career, he departs with an impressive legacy and leaves significant expectations for the younger players who will strive to fill his role. He was a pivotal figure in the bowling lineup and played a crucial role in India’s ascent to prominence and subsequent dominance in Test cricket from 2014 to 2019.
In the white-ball format, Ashwin has participated in 181 matches, claiming 228 wickets. In One Day Internationals, he has played 116 games, securing 156 wickets at an average of 33.20, with his best performance being 4/25. Additionally, he has scored 707 runs at an average of 16.44, including one half-century, with a top score of 65 across 63 innings. He ranks as the 13th highest wicket-taker for India in ODIs.
In 65 T20 International matches, he achieved a total of 72 wickets, maintaining an average of 23.22, with his best performance being 4 wickets for 8 runs. Additionally, he accumulated 184 runs over 19 innings, averaging 26.28, with a top score of 31. This accomplishment places him as the sixth-highest wicket-taker for India in T20Is.
Furthermore, with 765 wickets in 287 matches, he ranks as India’s second-highest wicket-taker across all formats, following Kumble, who has 953. He was also part of the victorious teams that won the 2011 ICC Cricket World Cup and the 2013 ICC Champions Trophy with India.
“This will be my last day as an Indian cricketer in all formats at the international level.I do feel there’s a bit of punch left in me as a cricketer, but I would like to express that and probably showcase that in club-level cricket, but this will be the last day. We’re the last bunch of OGs, if we can say that, left out in the dressing room, and I will be marking this as my date of having played at this level.
Obviously there are a lot of people to thank, but I would be failing in my duties if I didn’t thank the BCCI and my fellow team-mates. Several of them. I want to name a few of them. All the coaches who have been part of the journey. Also a big thank you to the Australian cricket team, who have been very fierce competitors. I have enjoyed my time playing against them,” a few words from the emotional speech by the spin legend.
He affirmed his intention to remain engaged with the sport, indicating that his involvement may extend beyond his role as a cricketer in the IPL, where he currently plays for the Chennai Super Kings, and in the TNPL with the Dindigul Dragons. “I look forward to seeing you soon. While I have stepped back from playing, I may still find ways to contribute to the game that has provided me with so much.”
Recently, he was acquired by CSK, his inaugural IPL team, for INR 9.75 crore during the mega auction last month, and he is set to represent them in IPL 2025.
