India's star spinner Ravichandran Ashwin retires from international cricket

Indian cricket legend Ravichandran Ashwin has announced his immediate retirement from international cricket, marking the end of an illustrious 14-year career. The announcement came after India’s drawn third Test against Australia in Brisbane on Wednesday.

Ashwin retires as India’s second-highest wicket-taker in Tests, having claimed 537 scalps in 106 matches. His contributions place him seventh on the all-time list of Test wicket-takers. Renowned for his artistry and consistency in the red-ball format, Ashwin leaves behind a legacy as one of India's greatest match-winners.

In limited-overs cricket, Ashwin also made his mark, playing 116 ODIs and 65 T20Is, where he took 156 and 72 wickets, respectively. However, his dominance in Tests defined his career, where he recorded 37 five-wicket hauls, the joint-second-highest in history alongside Shane Warne, and only behind Muttiah Muralitharan’s 67.

Ashwin was particularly effective against left-handers, with 268 dismissals against them, a world record in Test cricket. His prowess with the bat also shone through, amassing 3503 runs in Test matches, including six centuries and 14 fifties. He holds the Indian record for achieving a century and a five-wicket haul in the same Test four times, a feat only surpassed globally by Ian Botham with five.

Ashwin’s last Test appearance came in Adelaide during the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy. His decision to retire comes as a surprise to fans worldwide, many of whom considered him indispensable to India’s bowling attack.

Speaking about his retirement, Ashwin said, “It has been a privilege to don the Indian jersey. The love and support from fans, teammates, and the cricketing fraternity have made this journey unforgettable. I now look forward to exploring new opportunities.”