Ravichandran Ashwin He announced his retirement from international cricket on December 18, 2024, marking the end of a highly successful career that spanned more than a decade. Known for his mastery in both the experimental and limited overs formats, Ashwin's contributions have been pivotal in IndiaIts rise as a leading cricketing nation.
Ravichandran Ashwin's glorious international career for India
His consistency and versatility earned him 765 wickets in international cricket, including 537 in Tests. Ashwin's skill in spin-friendly conditions and his ability to produce decisive performances against top teams has made him one of India's best match-winners. He holds the distinction of being the fastest Indian bowler to reach milestones from 50 Test wickets to 500 Test wickets.
Ashwin's career has been highlighted by several match-defining spells, particularly 7/59 against New Zealand And 6/55 vs England In tests. His contributions with the bat have been complemented by his bowling prowess, with crucial lower-order runs in Tests and ODIs. Ashwin's retirement marks the end of an illustrious career, leaving behind a lasting legacy as one of India's greatest cricketers across all formats.
Ashwin: Master of five-wicket deliveries
Ashwin's mastery of the ball is best highlighted by his ability to take five wickets consistently in all formats of the game. In Test cricket, he achieved this astonishing feat 37 times in just 106 matches, including eight wicket-taking innings. These performances have come against almost every major cricketing nation, with standout performances such as 7/59 against New Zealand and 6/55 against England. His dominance in Test matches is further highlighted by his consistent success at home and in spin-friendly conditions.
In ODIs, Ashwin's chances of taking five wickets were limited, but his spell of 4/25 against United Arab Emirates (UAE) during ODI Cricket World Cup 2015 It was a highlight of his effectiveness in white-ball cricket. In T20Is, Ashwin has produced extraordinary efficiency, with his best figures of 4/8 rivaling that Sri Lanka In 2016, it was a testament to his adaptability and skill in the shortest format. Across formats, his contributions were evenly distributed among the top cricketing nations, demonstrating his versatility and influence.
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Ashwin's five-wicket haul in Test cricket
- New Zealand: 6 five-wicket hauls, including a career-best 7/59.
- England: 8 five-wicket innings, including match-winning performances such as 6/55.
- Australia: 7 five-wicket hauls, showing his dominance in the high-stakes series.
- West Indies: 6 five-wicket hauls, with his best figures being 7/71 in spin-friendly conditions.
- South Africa: 5 five-wicket haul, showing his ability to face quality opponents.
- Sri Lanka: 3 five-wicket hauls, including match-turning spells as 6/46.
- Bangladesh: Two five-wicket innings, reflecting his dominance in subcontinent conditions.
- Afghanistan:1 five-wicket haul during their first Test.
Ashwin's outstanding performance in ODIs
- Best Characters: 04/25 against the UAE in the 2015 World Cup.
- A regular wicket taker against teams like Sri Lanka and England with economical spells.
- Limited opportunities for five-wicket hauls due to role and format requirements.
AshwinBest performances in T20Is
- Sri Lanka: Best 4/8 numbers in 2016, showing his ability to fool hitters with variations.
- Australia: Unforgettable spells, including 4/11, in critical encounters.
- Zimbabwe and South Africa:Consistent contributions with multiple triple transfers.
- Namibia and the Netherlands: Dominated by decisive match-winning bouts.
The Impact of Ashwin's Batting: Centuries in International Cricket
Although Ashwin's batting is primarily known for his bowling prowess, it has contributed significantly to India's success in Tests, ODIs and T20Is. His ability to provide useful runs in key situations has played a pivotal role in matches across formats. Below, we analyze his batting performances in these formats and highlight his contributions against various major cricket nations.
Test cricket: batting contributions
Ashwin was known for his bold batting in the lower order, especially in Test matches where he played 106 matches and scored 3503 runs at an average of 25.75.
- Centuries: 6 centuries
- 1950s: 14 fifties
- Zeros: 9 cases of expulsion due to ducks
- His best Test score of 124 came against West IndiesShowing his ability to play match-defining roles.
- against New ZealandAshwin scored 294 runs at 17.29 overs, proving his effectiveness in spin-friendly conditions.
- against Englandscored 1086 runs at 32.90 overs, featuring a century and six fifties, often playing crucial knocks in difficult situations.
- against AustraliaAshwin scored 572 runs at 17.33, including three fifties, showing resilience in tough lockdown conditions.
- against West Indiesscored 608 runs at 50.66, including a century, playing some of his best knocks against friendly opposition. He scored four hundreds alone on the Caribbean side.
- against South AfricaAshwin amassed 321 runs at 17.83, contributing lower-order runs in difficult overseas conditions.
- against Sri LankaAshwin scored 333 runs at 20.81, showing utility in the conditions of the subcontinent.
ODI Cricket: The Contribution of Batting
In ODIs, Ashwin's role was largely as a lower-order contributor, scoring 707 runs at an average of 16.44 in 116 matches.
- Centuries: 0
- 1950s: 1
- Zeros: 6 cases of expulsion due to ducks
- His best ODI score came for 65 New ZealandHe played an important saving match for India
- against Sri LankaAshwin scored 132 runs at 16.50, often contributing valuable runs in the middle overs.
- against Englandscored 128 runs at 14.22, delivering lower-order runs during critical moments.
- against West IndiesAshwin scored 135 runs at 33.75 and played a key role in controlling the innings during the World Cup encounters.
T20I cricket: Batting's contribution
In T20Is, Ashwin's role has been more about providing finishing power, as he has scored 184 runs at an average of 26.28 in 65 matches.
- Centuries: 0
- 1950s: 0
- Zeros: 0 cases of expulsion due to ducks
- His best T20I score came for 31 Sri LankaShowing his ability to stabilize roles when needed.
- against AustraliaAshwin scored 33 runs at 106.45, providing some crucial runs in key encounters.
- against South AfricaHe scored 20 points at 6.66 contributors in difficult conditions.
- against West IndiesAshwin scored 34 runs at 34.00, providing a lively lower order innings.
Contributions at the state level:
1. Against West Indies:
- Tests:608 runs at 50.66 with a century.
- ODIs: 135 points at 33.75.
- T20Is: 34 runs at 34.00.
- Solid performance in Test and ODI, especially in spin-friendly conditions.
2. Against New Zealand:
- Tests: 335 runs at 41.87 with a century.
- ODIs: 85 points at 14.16.
- T20Is: 10 runs at 10.00.
- Great Test century, but limited ODI and T20I contributions.
3. Against England:
- Tests: 1086 runs at 32.90 with a century.
- ODIs: 128 points at 14.22.
- T20Is: 22 round at 11.00.
- Key contributions to testing and limited impact in limited formats.
4. Against South Africa:
- Tests: 321 points at 17.83.
- ODIs: 81 points at 20.25.
- T20Is: 20 points at 6.66.
- He struggled against South Africa in all formats.
5. Against Sri Lanka:
- Tests: 333 points at 20.81.
- ODIs: 132 points at 16.50.
- T20Is: 46 points at 31*.
- Consistent benefit across formats in Indian subcontinent conditions.
6. Against Australia:
- Tests: 572 points at 17.33.
- ODIs: 85 points at 14.16.
- T20Is: 33 points at 106.45.
- Limited impact in limited overtaking, but contributed in testing.
7. Against Pakistan:
- ODIs: 45 points at 11.25.
- T20Is:1 run at 100.00.
- She played a small role in limited matches.
