Ravichandran Ashwin Retirement: On the last day of the third match of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy series between India and Australia at the Gabba ground in Brisbane, everyone expected that the match would be a draw and the same happened due to rain. But after the conversation between Ravichandran Ashwin and Virat Kohli in the dressing room, the news spread like wildfire that Ashwin is going to retire. And after the match was drawn, when Ashwin came along with Indian captain Rohit Sharma in the press conference, he told his decision to everyone.
Ashwin spoke about retirement
Ashwin said in the post-match press conference, “This will be my last day as an Indian cricketer in all formats at the international level. I think I still have some power left in me as a cricketer, but I am looking forward to playing at the club level.” I would like to highlight it and maybe show it in cricket, but this will be the last day for India. I had a lot of fun.”
Ashwin further added, “I must say that I have made a lot of memories with Rohit and many of my other teammates, even though I have lost some of them over the years. We are the last OGs left out of the dressing room.” “I will mark this as my last time playing at this level.”
What is the reason behind Ashwin’s sudden retirement?
Ashwin’s sudden decision to retire came as a surprise to everyone, because there is still a lot of cricket left in this player. But if reports are to be believed, Ashwin, who is second in the list of bowlers who have taken the most wickets in Tests for India, had made up his mind about this for a long time.
Whereas the Indian Express Report According to, Ravichandran Ashwin may have announced his retirement suddenly, but it was a step which was awaited for a long time. This was discussed last time when the Australian team toured India for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy series. But since the series was ahead, no decision was taken on this. If reports are to be believed, Ashwin made up his mind specifically because of his knee, as he has been having knee problems for some time.
had already informed the family
According to the report, Ashwin had informed his family even before flying to Australia for the Test series that he was considering retiring from international cricket. Although no decision was taken then, his family had asked him to consider it and it is understood that Ashwin had informed that he would take a decision after seeing how the situation would be in Australia. And on Tuesday night he told his family that December 18 would be his last day in international cricket.
As captain Rohit Sharma had said that after reaching Perth, he had a long conversation with Ashwin about leaving the game. He was also a contender to play the Brisbane Test, but Ravindra Jadeja was given preference. It is understood that at the Gabba, Ashwin informed each player separately about his decision to quit midway through the series, which shocked everyone. Although Ashwin had a chance to play in Melbourne and Sydney, but he took the decision keeping the series in mind.
Now Ashwin can be seen in the domestic circuit
There is information about Ashwin returning home on Thursday. Ashwin can now be seen playing in the domestic circuit for Tamil Nadu, because he has already told that it is his dream to make his team win the Ranji Trophy. Tamil Nadu is still in search of play-offs in the current season, there is a possibility that he may join the team.
Such are Ashwin’s records
Ashwin ended his career with 537 wickets in 106 Test matches at an average of 24 and was India’s second highest wicket taker after legendary leg spinner Anil Kumble. He also scored six Test centuries and 14 half-centuries with the bat.
His last international match was the day-night Test in Adelaide, where he took 1-53. Ashwin also played 116 ODI matches for India, in which he took 156 wickets and was a member of the teams that won the 2011 ODI World Cup and 2013 Champions Trophy. Ashwin also played 65 T20 matches and took 72 wickets.
In Tests, Ashwin was a big figure in the Indian team’s 12-year-long domestic dominance and played a key role in the 2020/21 Border-Gavaskar Trophy win in Australia. Ashwin was one of the 11 all-rounders to achieve the double of 3000 runs and 300 wickets in Tests. He also won a record 11 Player-of-the-Series awards, equal to Muttiah Muralitharan.
(With inputs from IANS)
