Spin Maestro R Ashwin Bids Farewell to International Cricket

Indian spinner R Ashwin has announced his retirement from international cricket after the third Test against Australia on Wednesday. The announcement came shortly after the match in Brisbane ended in a draw. Ashwin, who featured in the second Test in Adelaide but was replaced by Ravindra Jadeja for the Brisbane match, leaves behind an illustrious 13-year career. With 537 wickets, he ranks second only to the iconic Anil Kumble’s record of 619 wickets, cementing his legacy as one of the greats of the game.

Ashwin surprised the cricketing world by announcing his retirement with immediate effect in the middle of the Test series against Australia here.

Ashwin retires from the game as the second-highest wicket-taker for India in Tests with 537 scalps in 106 games, leaving him only behind Anil Kumble (619 wickets). He will continue to play club cricket.

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Ashwin Announces Retirement, Declines Questions in Joint Press Conference

“I won’t take too much of your time. Today will be the last day for me as an India cricketer,” Ashwin said at the end of the drawn third Test here in a joint press conference with captain Rohit Sharma during which he declined to take any questions and left after making the announcement.

The 38-year-old played the day-night Test in Adelaide and picked up one wicket.

“He was very, very sure of his decision. We should stand by what he wants,” said Rohit after Ashwin left the stage.

He was seen sharing an emotional moment with star batter Virat Kohli in the dressing room hours before the announcement. “A name synonymous with mastery, wizardry, brilliance, and innovation,” said the BCCI in its tribute post on X.

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