Indian off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin, the fastest Indian bowler to take 50, 100, 150, 200, 250, 300, 350, 400, 450, and 500 wickets in Tests, has announced his retirement from international cricket. The announcement came immediately after the third Test against Australia ended in a draw on Day 5 at the Gabba in Brisbane on Wednesday (December 18).
Ashwin, India’s second-highest wicket-taker in Test cricket after Anil Kumble, played 106 Tests across his illustrious 13-year career, picking up 537 wickets, placing him seventh on the all-time Test wicket-takers list. Known for his remarkable consistency, he claimed 37 five-wicket hauls in Test cricket, the joint second-best alongside Shane Warne and only behind Muttiah Muralitharan (67).
A masterful bowler, Ashwin also holds the record for dismissing most left-handers in Tests with 268 scalps. Beyond his bowling, Ashwin made valuable contributions with the bat, scoring 3503 runs, which include 6 centuries and 14 fifties. Notably, he holds the Indian record for achieving a century and a five-wicket haul in the same Test match four times, second only to Ian Botham’s five such instances globally.
Reflecting on his career, Ashwin shared that he enjoyed every moment of the game. His retirement marks the end of an era for Indian cricket, as he leaves behind an extraordinary legacy as one of India’s greatest match-winners.