Ravichandran Ashwin Announces Retirement After Taking 537 Test Wickets
Indian cricket star Ravichandran Ashwin announced his retirement from international cricket on Wednesday, December 18. The 38-year-old spinner ranks as India’s second-highest wicket-taker in both international and Test cricket.
Since his Test debut against the West Indies on November 6, 2011, in Delhi, Ravichandran Ashwin has featured in 106 Test matches, taking 537 wickets. He ranks second only to Anil Kumble (619) in India’s all-time wicket-takers list in Test cricket. Ashwin has also been a key player in the World Test Championship (WTC), claiming 195 wickets in 41 matches, the most by any player in the tournament. Beyond his Test success, Ashwin has also contributed to India’s limited-overs formats, playing 116 ODIs and 65 T20Is, taking 156 and 72 wickets, respectively.
Who is R Ashwin?
Ravichandran Ashwin, born on September 17, 1986, is a former Indian international cricketer, widely regarded as one of the greatest spinners in the game. A right-arm off-spinner and a capable lower-order batsman, Ashwin was a key member of India’s 2011 World Cup and 2013 Champions Trophy-winning teams. He also represents Tamil Nadu and South Zone in domestic cricket and plays for Chennai Super Kings in the IPL. In December 2024, he retired from international cricket.
Ashwin has taken over 500 Test wickets and holds the record for being the fastest to reach 300 Test wickets by innings. He has won 11 Man of the Series awards in Tests, the most by any player alongside Muttiah Muralitharan. As a Test all-rounder, he has scored six centuries and is one of only three players to have achieved 3000 runs and 500 wickets in Test cricket. As of September 2024, he is ranked as the top bowler in the ICC men’s rankings and is the highest-rated Indian bowler in Test history.
Ravichandran Ashwin has established himself as one of India’s top cricketers, excelling as a spinner across formats. His breakthrough came in the IPL and Champions T20 League, earning him a national call-up in 2010. Ashwin debuted in ODIs and T20s that year and impressed in the 2011 World Cup squad. He made a memorable Test debut in 2011, securing the Player of the Series title and becoming the fastest Indian to take 50 and later 100 Test wickets. Named ICC Cricketer of the Year in 2016, Ashwin has struggled in overseas conditions but remains a key Test player. Though his white-ball performances have been inconsistent, he continues to play a significant role in the Indian T20 League, recently representing Rajasthan. Despite challenges, Ashwin’s impressive record ensures he remains in contention for India’s national team.
