Thursday, 19 December 2024
Thursday, 19 December 2024
Ravichandran Ashwin, one of India's most accomplished cricketers, announced his retirement from international cricket on December 18, 2024, following the third Test against Australia in Brisbane.
Ashwin drew curtains to an illustrious 14-year career, finishing as India's second-highest Test wicket-taker with 537 scalps in 106 Tests. He is ranked 5th on the ICC test rankings for bowlers and 3rd for allrounders.
Out of the three Test matches played so far in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia, Ravichandran Ashwin featured only in one match- the day-night Test in Adelaide. He picked up one wicket and scored only 22 runs in the first innings and 7 in the second. His limited contributions, coupled with India’s defeat, reflected his struggles to make an impact overseas.
Given the conditions in Australia, his selection in the playing XI was uncertain throughout the series, with team management favoring other options due to his inconsistent form overseas.
Despite his stellar performance for India, Ashwin faced challenges in overseas conditions. Of all his 537 Test wickets, 383 have come in India at an average of 21.57. Ashwin was often benched when India played overseas. Ashwin played 26 Tests in SENA (South Africa, England, New Zealand and Australia) where he bagged 72 wickets.
"Today will be the last day for me as an India cricketer in all formats," Ashwin said at the end of the drawn third Test in Brisbane in a joint press conference with captain Rohit Sharma. He declined to take any questions and left after making the announcement.
"It is an emotional moment. Please pardon me for that (not taking questions). Thanks for writing good things about me and some nasty things on occasions," said Ashwin on a lighter note as he left the room to a standing ovation.
Ashwin will be heading back home to India tomorrow.
He will continue to play club cricket, including the Indian Premier League (IPL), where he will return to compete for Chennai Super Kings (CSK) next year.
Mastery, wizardry, brilliance
Ashwin was seen having an emotional conversation with star batter Virat Kohli in the dressing room hours before the announcement, sending social media into frenzy.
Kohli had his arm around the senior bowler's shoulder and Ashwin was seen wiping his eyes before breaking into a chuckle.
The BCCI congratulated Ashwin on a special career.
"A name synonymous with mastery, wizardry, brilliance, and innovation," said the BCCI in its tribute post on X.
The Tamil Nadu spinner bagged 765 wickets across formats, the second-highest behind Anil Kumble’s 956 scalps and the 11th-highest overall.
Nothing but respect
"I do feel there is bit of punch left in me as a cricketer but I would like to showcase that in club level cricket. I have had a lot of fun. I must I have created a lot of memories alongside Rohit and several of my other teammates," Ashwin said.
"I have lost some of them over the last few years (in the team). We are the last bunch of OG's left in the dressing room. I would be marking this as my date of having played at this level," he said, referring to the likes of the out of favour Ajinkya Rahane and Cheteshwar Pujara.
Ashwin played 116 ODIs for India, claiming 156 wickets, while his 65 T20 International outings yielded 72 scalps. He expressed his gratitude towards the BCCI and other senior teammates for his career which began in 2010 in the one-day format before he made his Test debut a year later.
"A lot of people to thank but I would be failing in my duties if I did not thank BCCI and fellow teammates. I want to name a few of them. Most importantly Rohit, Virat, Ajinkya, Pujara who have taken those hundred catches around the bat to give me those wickets I managed to get over the years.
His retirement brought back memories of the 2014 series when the then captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni had quit Tests after conceding an unassailable lead to the home side.
"When I arrived in Perth, this was a chat we had and I somehow convinced him to stay for that pink ball Test match and then after that it just happened so that he felt that if I am not needed right now in the series, I am better off saying goodbye to the game," said Rohit after Ashwin left the stage.
Virat Kohli wrote on X, "I’ve had the privilege of playing alongside you for 14 years, and hearing today that you're retiring brought back a flood of memories. Reflecting on all those years we spent playing together, I’ve cherished every moment. Your skill and match-winning contributions to Indian cricket are unmatched, and you will always be remembered as a legend of the game."
Ahead of Day 5’s play at Gabba, Australian off spinner Lyon was effusive in his praise of his Indian counterpart. “Nothing but respect. Just the way Ash has conducted himself on and off the field for a number of years now, and his skillset is incredible. We’ve got different opinions on different things, there’s no right or wrong. But to have those conversations with a bowler like Ashwin is amazing. From different variations to different tactics, understanding what he’s trying to do. We are both very different. So our conversation this morning was brilliant and I hope we have more through the series and in the future as well,” said Lyon.
Suresh Raina paid a tribute to his Indian and CSK teammate and wrote on X, "Take a bow, Ashwin! Your magic with the ball, sharp cricketing mind, and unmatched passion for Test cricket will forever be etched in our hearts. Thank you for giving us countless moments of joy and pride. Wishing you all the best for your next chapter!"
Ravi Shastri, former coach of the Indian cricket team, said, "Congratulations on a magnificent career, old boy. You were an invaluable asset during my tenure as coach and enriched the game immensely with your skill and craft. God bless."
Dinesh Karthik said Ashwin was the greatest cricketer to have come from Tamil Nadu. In his post on X, Karthik expressed pride in having played alongside him, saying, "Well done on what's been an outstanding career. Proud to have played with you and definitely the greatest ever to have played from Tamil Nadu. Much love and enjoy some leisurely time with family and friends."
"Your journey has been nothing short of extraordinary! With over 700 international wickets and a keen cricketing mind, you are one of the finest to have graced the field. Congratulations on a stellar career, and here's to an even brighter future off the field!" wrote Kumble.
From opener to spinner
Ashwin began his cricketing journey as an opening batsman. He transitioned into an off-break bowler, a move that defined his career.
He made his first-class debut for Tamil Nadu in December 2006 and soon became a pivotal figure in domestic cricket. His impressive performances in the IPL for the CSK further elevated his profile, leading to his international debut in June 2010.
He was named in the ODI playing XI for a match against Sri Lanka in 2010, where he scored 38 runs in 32 balls. He also picked up 2 wickets and bowled at an economy of 5 runs per over but India lost the match by 6 wickets.
Ashwin burst onto the scene when he played alongside MS Dhoni for CSK in the IPL. The World Cup-winning captain brought out the best in Ashwin, often entrusting him with the new ball inside the Powerplay.
Legend of the Tests
Ashwin made his Test debut against the West Indies in 2011, becoming the seventh Indian bowler to take a five-wicket haul on debut. His ability to extract turn and bounce, combined with a sharp cricketing mind, made him a formidable opponent on subcontinent pitches.
The 38-year-old bagged 37 Test five-fors, only second to Muttiah Muralidharan (67). He was also the fastest bowler to reach 250, 300, and 350 Test wickets in terms of the number of innings.
He also scored six Test centuries and is one of only three players to have scored 3,000 runs and taken 500 wickets in Tests. Australia’s leg-spinner Shane Warne and English right arm pacer Stuart Broad are the two other players to achieve this feat.
He has won eleven Man of the Series awards in Tests, the most for any cricketer, alongside Muttiah Muralitharan.
In the 2015-16 season, he took 48 wickets and scored 336 runs in eight Test matches, earning him the ICC Cricketer of the Year and ICC Men's Test Cricketer of the Year awards for 2016. He was also named in the ICC Test Team of the Decade 2011-20.
He achieved the distinction of being the first bowler to reach 100 World Test Championship wickets and leads the wicket-taking charts with 195 dismissals in 41 matches. Australian off-spinner Nathan Lyon is just behind him with 190 wickets.
In 106 Test matches, he scored 3503 runs at an average of 25.75. Just a few months ago, Ashwin made 113 runs off 133 balls against Bangladesh in a Test match on 19th September in Chennai. And who can forget the sight of Ashwin batting with a bad back with Hanuma Vihari (down with a torn hamstring) and salvaging a draw for India in the iconic SCG Test four years ago.
Ashwin’s contributions with both ball and bat have been instrumental in many of India's victories over the past decade. Beyond his on-field exploits, Ashwin has been involved in various initiatives off the field. He runs a cricket academy called "Gen-Next Cricket Institute" in Chennai, mentoring young talents.
In June 2024, Ashwin released his memoir titled "I Have the Streets: A Kutti Cricket Story," co-authored with sports writer Sidharth Monga, offering insights into his cricketing journey and personal life.
