India’s premier spinner Ravichandran Ashwin on Wednesday announced his retirement from International cricket at the end of the third test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
With the series level at 1-1, Ashwin declared his retirement after playing in the second Test in Adelaide. The veteran off-spinner was seen having a lengthy conversation in the dressing room with senior batter and former India Virat Kohli during a rain break Tea on Day 5, following which they shared an emotional embrace.
Ashwin concluded an illustrious 14 career, finishing as India’s second-highest Test wicket-taker, 537 wickets in 106 Tests. The 38-old claimed 37 Test five-wicket ha, second only to Muttiah Muralidaran (67).
A part of India’s ODI World Cup and Champions Trophy wins in 201 and 2013, Ashwin’s international career spanned 287 matches since his debut in 2010. Tamil Nadu spinner took wickets across formats, second-highest behind Anil K’s 956 wickets and the 11th-highest overall.
Ashwin leaves India’s spin quartet at the pinnacle of the game, having dominated the World Test Championship over three cycles. Ashwin was the first bowler to record 100 WTC wickets and is currently the highest wicket-taker with wickets in 41 matches, by Australia’s Nathan Lyon (190).
Ashwin, however, is expected to continue featuring in franchise cricket after recently securing coming with his first Indian Premier League team, Chennai Super Kings, with a Rs 9.75 crore signing in the IPL 2025 Mega Auction last month.