Ravichandran Ashwin Announces Retirement from International Cricket

India's off-spinner, Ravichandran Ashwin, announced to retire from international cricket after stepping down as the second-highest Test wicket-taker in the country. Ashwin, 38, made the statement soon after India's fourth Test tie against Australia in Brisbane, ending a glorious career of 13 years for India. Ashwin now stands on 537 wickets with a legend like Anil Kumble, who has 619. The following day, he will be returning to India tomorrow.

During India's post-match press conference, Ashwin stated, "I don't want to make it about myself. This is my last day as an international cricketer. I have created a lot of memories. We are the last bunch of OGs in the dressing room. I have a lot of people to thank… BCCI, my fellow teammates, all the coaches. This will be my last day as an India international cricketer. I will play club cricket. I had a lot of fun."

Ashwin has announced his retirement at a time when the India-Australia Test series is in full swing. He had played a oneTest in the currently running Border-Gavaskar Trophy. He was included in the playing XI for the second Test which Australia won by 10 wickets. He picked just a solitary wicket and finished with scores of 22 and 7 in the match. Ashwin has long served Indian cricketers and is undeniably one of the finest off spinners in the country. He has played 106 Tests, 116 ODIs, 65 T20Is for India, and has taken 775 wickets across formats.

In Tests, Ashwin's wickets average at about 24, with a strike rate of 50.7, and he has picked 37 five-wicket hauls. This is just part of the accomplishments. He also goes as the seventh-highest wicket-taker in Tests  and he currently stands as the highest-taking bowler among off-spinners in Tests. However, Nathan Lyon will eventually surpass that record.

Ashwin made his biggest mark in Test matches, making him pretty much irreplaceable. The opposition batters were given a real hard time at Ashwin's hands more so in India than any other country of his deployment. For all that, Ashwin has an amazing record against the left-handers as well. Of all his Test wickets, 383 have come in India at an average of 21.57. The best thing that he is doing in current times is sometimes not being a part of the eleven in cases when India played overseas. Ashwin has played 26 Tests in South Africa, England, New Zealand and Australia.

Ashwin has taken retirement from his international career, being one of the greats of the game. He will return to action next in the IPL 2025, playing for the Chennai Super Kings, after being bought by the franchise during last month's mega-auction.