Ravichandran Ashwin has announced his immediate retirement from international cricket, marking the end of a stellar career. The decision came after the rain-affected third Test of the 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy at the Gabba in Brisbane, which ended in a draw.
“This will be my last year as an Indian cricketer in all formats at the international level,” Ashwin stated during a press conference in Brisbane.
“While I feel there’s still some cricket left in me, I’d like to channel that energy into club-level cricket moving forward. I’ve cherished every moment, made countless memories with teammates like Rohit [Sharma] and others, even as we’ve seen some of them step away in recent years. It’s time for me to do the same.”
Ashwin went on to thank the BCCI, his teammates, and his fiercest opponents.
“I owe so much to the BCCI, my coaches, and my teammates, particularly players like Rohit, Virat [Kohli], Ajinkya [Rahane], and Pujara, who’ve been instrumental in helping me succeed. And of course, a big thanks to the Australian cricket team for being such fierce competitors. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed playing against them.”
He reflected on his career and addressed the media with a mix of humor and sentiment. “To the journalists, thanks for writing good things—and occasionally nasty things. It’s been a relationship I’ve come to appreciate. I hope the next generation of cricketers enjoys the same love and criticism.”
Ashwin also hinted at staying involved with cricket. “As a cricketer, I’m stepping away, but the game will always be a part of me. I’ll continue to contribute in some way.”
Ashwin retires as one of the greatest off-spinners in cricket history. In 106 Tests, he claimed 537 wickets at an average of 24, including 37 five-wicket hauls—joint second-highest in Test history alongside Shane Warne, trailing only Muttiah Muralitharan. Ashwin is India’s second-highest wicket-taker in Tests, behind Anil Kumble. He also scored 3503 runs, including six centuries and 14 fifties, showcasing his prowess as a lower-order batter.
In ODIs, Ashwin picked up 156 wickets in 116 matches, and in T20Is, he took 72 wickets in 65 games. His last ODI appearance was during the 2023 World Cup in Chennai, where he took 1/34 against Australia. His final T20I was the semi-final of the 2022 T20 World Cup in Adelaide.
Ashwin was also part of India’s victorious squads in the 2011 ODI World Cup and the 2013 Champions Trophy, further cementing his legacy as a match-winner across formats.
Ashwin’s final Test was the pink-ball encounter against Australia in Adelaide, where he took 1/53. Before that, he had claimed nine wickets in a losing effort against New Zealand in a home series. Despite being a regular in home Tests, Ashwin was often underutilized in overseas conditions, with India’s team combinations dictating his appearances.
India captain Rohit Sharma described Ashwin’s retirement as a personal decision. “When a player of Ashwin’s caliber makes such a choice, it’s up to us to respect it. He has contributed immensely over the years, and we will miss him greatly. He was clear about his decision, and we stand by him,” Rohit said.
Rohit revealed that Ashwin had been considering retirement since the start of the series. “We had a chat when I arrived in Perth, and he mentioned his plans. I convinced him to play the pink-ball Test, and he did, but he was firm in his decision to step away. It’s a decision we must honor.”
Ashwin’s retirement leaves a significant gap in the Indian team as they prepare for the Boxing Day Test in Melbourne and the upcoming away series in England. Despite his departure, Ashwin remains an enduring symbol of excellence and adaptability, inspiring countless players and fans around the world.
As the cricketing world bids farewell to one of its finest, Ashwin’s legacy as a record-breaker, team player, and fierce competitor will undoubtedly stand the test of time.