In a move that shocked the cricket world, Ravichandran AshwinOne of the most famous cricket players in India, He announced his retirement from international cricket On December 18th. The timing of the decision, during the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy tournament in Australia, surprised everyone.
Ravichandran Ashwin's shocking retirement: A legend bids farewell
Ashwin's illustrious career spanned 106 Test matches, during which he took 537 wickets at an impressive average of 24.01 and contributed significantly with the bat, scoring 3,503 runs, including six centuries and 14 fifties. His dual contributions as a bowler and batsman have made him a pillar of the Indian Test team, and his sudden exit has left fans and cricket pundits grappling with mixed emotions.
The first signs of Ashwin's retirement appeared during the fifth day of the Gabba Test, where… He was seen hugging Virat Kohli in an emotional moment In the locker room. Speculation became stronger when he joined Rohit Sharma In the press conference following the match, he officially announced his retirement before leaving the field. While the timing surprised many, it appears that Ashwin's decision was well thought out. He is scheduled to return to India on Thursday, bringing an end to a career that left an indelible mark on the sport.
A record-breaking career in India was cut short
Ashwin retires as India's second-highest all-rounder in Test cricket, behind only the legendary Anil Kumble. Kumble's record of 619 wickets in 132 matches seemed within Ashwin's reach, but the veteran chose to walk away with just 82 wickets to spare. Ashwin's exceptional home record was a testament to his dominance in spin-friendly conditions, with 383 of his 537 wickets coming on Indian soil at an exceptional average of 21.44. However, with the next home Test series in India scheduled for August 2025, the long wait for big opportunities on familiar turf may have influenced his decision to retire.
Ashwin leaves behind a legacy that extends beyond numbers. His tactical acumen, ability to out-hit the batsmen and his contributions in both batting and bowling made him one of the most complete players of his era. While his sudden retirement has left fans yearning for more, Ashwin's achievements will continue to inspire young cricketers who aim to follow in his footsteps.
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3 major factors behind Ashwin's sudden decision to retire
1. Limited opportunities for external examinations
Ashwin's involvement in overseas Test matches has been sporadic in recent years, with the team management often preferring heavy attacks in overseas conditions. In the ongoing BGT, Ashwin played only the second Test in Adelaide and was not considered for the first or third matches. This pattern of low participation in overseas Tests would have frustrated Vertigo, leading him to discontinue his career. For most of the time over the last two years, Ravindra Jadeja has emerged as the team's favorite bowler not only on the basis of bowling but also in terms of batting and fielding, both of which are areas in which Jadeja is potentially miles ahead of Ashwin.
2. A long gap before meaningful engagement
India's upcoming Test schedule does not leave much room for Ashwin's strengths to shine. If the team qualifies for the tournament World Test Championship (WTC) Final.It is scheduled to take place in England Next year in June, followed by another series in England. Ashwin's next major innings in home conditions will not come until October 2025, during the Vs West Indies. Having gone through almost a year before he could contribute significantly, Ashwin may have felt that this was the right moment to retire and explore other avenues.
3. Focus on personal and professional priorities
Ashwin, 38, may have weighed his options and decided to prioritize his personal life and other professional endeavours. Having been a consistent performer for over a decade, the demands of international cricket, coupled with long tours and limited break-outs, could have contributed to his decision to walk away from the game.
With the composition of India's sophisticated Test team, Ashwin might have expected the chances to drop even in the upcoming series. Rise of younger spinners in form Washington Sundarwho got the nod ahead of Ashwin in the first match, and the team's increasing reliance on fast bowlers in overseas conditions may have cast doubt on his role in the future, leading to his decision to retire while still at the top of his game.
