Ravichandran Ashwin Retirement: Legend's Farewell – Tributes From Across The Cricket World

R Ashwin will no longer be seen in an India jersey as the legend announced his retirement from international cricket earlier today. The third Test match between India and Australia ended in a draw and soon the official announcement came up that Ashwin has retired from international cricket.

"I won't take too much of your time. Today will be the last day for me as an India cricketer," Ashwin said at the end of the drawn third Test here in a joint press conference with captain Rohit Sharma during which he declined to take any questions and left after making the announcement.

The 38-year-old played the day-night Test in Adelaide and picked up one wicket. "He was very, very sure of his decision. We should stand by what he wants," said Rohit after Ashwin left the stage.

Ashwin retires as the second most successful Indian bowler of all time with 537 wickets in 106 Tests only behind Anil Kumble. He picked up 37 five wicket hauls, which is equal to Shane Warne and only less than the great Muttiah Muralitharan.

"...this was on his mind and there are obviously a lot of things that went behind it, I am pretty sure Ash will be able to answer that but he understands what the team is thinking," Rohit said.

"When I arrived in Perth, this was a chat we had and I somehow convinced him to stay for that pink ball Test match and then after that it just happened so that he felt that if I am not needed right now in the series, I am better off saying goodbye to the game," the India captain added.

There were many deemed more gifted, and several others who spun the ball more prodigiously than him. But you would be hard-pressed to name a contemporary spinner, nay cricketer, who thought and spoke more deeply about the game and his craft than Ravichandran Ashwin...

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Why did Ashwin retire in the middle of the Australia series, a la Mahendra Singh Dhoni? The premier off-spinner reportedly told captain Rohit Sharma that "if I am not needed right now in the series, I am better off saying goodbye to the game". A PTI report states that retirement was on the legend's mind after the home series against New Zealand, which India shockingly lost 0-3. He had apparently told the team management that if he was not guaranteed a place in the playing eleven during the Australia series, he would not even travel Down Under.

Like millions of fans around the world, Indian skipper Rohit Sharma couldn't hold back his gratitude while reflecting on Ravichandran Ashwin's illustrious career. After Ashwin officially announced his retirement from international cricket, Sharma lauded the veteran off-spinner. After Ashwin exited the press conference, Sharma addressed the media and said:

"Some decisions are very personal, and I don’t think too many questions should be asked. If a player has a choice, he has to be given that choice, and somebody like Ashwin, who has been there for us for so many years, is allowed to make these kinds of decisions. We as teammates have to respect it. He was very sure about what he wanted to do, and the team completely backed his thought process."

Matches - 106

Innings - 200

Overs - 4541.0

Runs - 12891

Wickets - 537

BBI - 7/59

BBM - 13/140

1. Ashwin has picked 537 Test wickets, which is the second most wickets taken by an Indian in Test matches, behind only Anil Kumble. He is also 7th on the overall wickets chart.

2. With 475 wickets taken at home, Ashwin's stat remains the second most by an Indian bowler (only 1 wicket behind Anil Kumble, who took 476).

3. Ravichandran Ashwin has been honoured as the Player of the Series for 11 times, the most by any player in Test match cricket. He also has the 7th most across all formats.

4. Anna is the second fastest to 500 Test wickets, achieved in only 98 matches.

5. Ashwin also holds the record for the most an Indian bowler has dismissed a batter, taking the wicket of Ben Stokes 13 times in Tests.

The Indian Cricket team's coach Gautam Gambhir too stepped in the heartfelt farewell of Ashwin sharing an emotional stance, "The privilege of seeing you grow from a young bowler to a legend of modern cricket is something that I wouldn’t trade for the world! I know that generations of bowlers to come will say that I became a bowler coz of Ashwin! U will be missed brother!"

Joining the long list of former cricketers paying tribute to Ravichandran Ashwin, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has congratulated him for an "extraordinary career". Ashwin announced his retirement from international cricket after the conclusion of the third Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy on Wednesday (December 18, 2024) at The Gabba in Brisbane. Read full story HERE.

According to reports, as of 2024, Ravichandran Ashwin's estimated net worth is approx INR 132 crore (around $16 million).

Luminaries from the world of cricket on Wednesday doffed their hats to "all-time great" Ravichandran Ashwin after he announced his international retirement, leaving the game a little poorer after enriching it through a glorious career. Read the full story here.