Ravichandran Ashwin, one of India’s greatest cricketers, has announced his retirement from international cricket. This decision comes after the conclusion of the third Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy series in Brisbane. Ashwin has left a massive mark on Indian and world cricket, not just as a bowler, but also as a talented all-rounder.
Ashwin Career Highlights
Ashwin Bowling Achievements
Ravichandran Ashwin bowling career is nothing short of legendary. He finishes his Test career as India’s second-highest wicket-taker, with an impressive 537 wickets in 106 matches. Only Anil Kumble, who has 619 wickets in 132 Tests, has taken more wickets than Ashwin in Indian cricket.
Here are Ashwin’s key bowling stats in Test cricket:
| Format | Matches Played | Wickets Taken | Average | Best Bowling |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Test | 106 | 537 | 24.00 | 7/59 |
| ODI | 116 | 156 | 33.20 | 4/25 |
| T20I | 65 | 72 | 23.22 | 4/8 |
Ashwin’s best Test bowling performance is 7 wickets for 59 runs, and he has taken 37 five-wicket hauls in his career.
Ashwin Batting Contributions
Apart from being a world-class bowler, Ashwin was also a solid batsman. He scored a total of 3,503 runs in Test cricket, which includes 6 centuries and 14 half-centuries. This makes him one of only 11 cricketers to score 3,000 runs and take 300 wickets in Tests.
Here are Ashwin’s batting stats in Test cricket:
| Format | Matches Played | Runs Scored | Average | Highest Score | Centuries | Half-Centuries |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Test | 106 | 3,503 | 25.75 | 124 | 6 | 14 |
| ODI | 116 | 707 | 16.44 | 65 | 0 | 1 |
| T20I | 65 | 184 | 26.28 | 31* | 0 | 0 |
His highest score in Tests was 124, and he managed to score 399 boundaries across his Test career.
Ashwin Legacy
A True All-Rounder
Ashwin’s career is a testament to his all-round abilities. He was a key player for India in both home and overseas conditions. His contributions with both bat and ball helped India win many matches. Over the years, Ashwin has been a consistent performer and a match-winner for his team.
He has also been awarded 11 Player-of-the-Series awards, a record he shares with the Sri Lankan legend Muthiah Muralidaran.
His Impact on Indian Cricket
Ashwin’s influence on Indian cricket will be remembered for years to come. As a bowler, he has taken wickets in all types of conditions, and as a batsman, he has provided vital runs when his team needed them most. His ability to turn matches with both bat and ball has made him one of India’s finest cricketers.
Retirement Decision
Ashwin’s retirement comes at a time when he was no longer a regular part of India’s overseas Test squad. Given that he would be 39 years old by the time of India’s next home season, Ashwin decided it was time to step away from international cricket. His decision to retire after the third Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy marks the end of a remarkable era.
Ashwin Final Stats
Here is a summary of Ashwin’s international cricket career:
| Format | Matches Played | Innings | Runs | Wickets | Average (Wickets) | Player of the Series Awards |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Test | 106 | 200 | 3,503 | 537 | 24.00 | 11 |
| ODI | 116 | 114 | 707 | 156 | 33.20 | 0 |
| T20I | 65 | 65 | 184 | 72 | 23.22 | 0 |
Summary
Ravichandran Ashwin retirement marks the end of an era in Indian cricket. His impressive record as a bowler, combined with his contributions as a batsman, makes him one of the best all-rounders India has ever produced. As Ashwin steps away from international cricket, his legacy will continue to inspire future generations of cricketers.
We wish Ashwin all the best for his future endeavors, and Indian cricket will always remember his incredible contributions.
