In a move that sent shock waves across the cricketing world, Ravichandran Ashwinone of India's most famous cricketers, announced his retirement from international cricket on December 18. The timing of the decision, during the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia, surprised everyone.
Ravichandran Ashwin's stunning retirement: Another legend bids farewell
Ashwin's career spanned 106 Test matches, during which he took 537 wickets at an impressive average of 24.01 and contributed greatly with the bat, scoring 3503 runs, including six centuries and six fifties. His dual contributions as a bowler and batsman made him a pillar of the Indian Test side, and his sudden exit has left cricket fans and pundits struggling with mixed feelings.
The first signs of Ashwin's retirement appeared on the fifth day of the Gabba Test, where was seen hugging Virat Kohli in an emotional moment in the dressing room. The imagination grew even more when he joined them Rohit Sharma during the post-match press conference, he simply announced his retirement before leaving the venue. Although the moment left many people confused, it seems that Ashwin's decision was well thought out. He is due to return to India on Thursday, ending a career that leaves an indelible mark on the sport.
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Ashwin retires as India's second-highest wicket-taker in Test cricket, behind all-time greats. Anil Kumbe. Kumble's record of 619 wickets in 132 matches looked within reach of Ashwin, but the veteran spinner opted to give up just 82 wickets. Ashwin's unique home record stood as a testament to his dominance in friendly environments, with 383 of his 537 wickets coming at an impressive average of 21.44 for India. However, with India's next series of domestic Tests scheduled for August 2025, the long wait to get a chance at the limelight may have influenced his decision to quit.
Ashwin leaves a legacy that goes beyond numbers. His genius, ability to strike the batsmen, and his contributions in batting and bowling made him one of the most complete batsmen of his time. Although his sudden retirement has left fans yearning for more, Ashwin's achievements will continue to inspire cricketers who want to follow in his footsteps.
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3 major factors that led to Ashwin's sudden decision to retire
1. Limited opportunities for external exams
Ashwin's participation in overseas matches has been limited in recent years, with the team management often favoring more aggressive attacks in foreign countries. In the ongoing BGT, Ashwin played the second Test in Adelaide and was not considered for the first or third Test. This method of reducing participation in external tests could have frustrated the spinner, causing him to call time on his work. Most of the time over the last few years, Ravindra Jadeja has emerged as the team's favorite player not only in batting but also fielding, both areas where Jadeja is ahead of Ashwin.
2. Long distance before taking action
India's upcoming Test schedule leaves little room for Ashwin's potential to shine. If the team, qualified World Test Championship (WTC) Finalit will be arranged for it to happen England next year in June, followed by another series in England. Ashwin's next big stint at home came in October 2025, in a series against a West Indies. Faced with nearly a year to contribute, Ashwin may feel that this was the right time to step down and explore other options.
3. Focus on personal and professional needs
At the age of 38, Ashwin must have thought about his options and decided to prioritize his personal life and other professional activities. Having been a consistent player for more than a decade, the demands of international cricket, including long tours and limited time, would have contributed to his decision to retire from the game.
With the evolution of India's Test team, Ashwin may be expecting a reduced chance even in the upcoming series. The rise of small spinners in the form of Washington Sundarwho got the nod ahead of Ashwin in the first game, and the team's over-reliance on fast bowlers in off-season conditions could cast doubt on his future career, leading to his decision to retire while still at the top of his game.