India's legendary off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin on Wednesday announced his retirement from international cricket at the end of the third Test between India and Australia in Brisbane.
Ashwin retires from the game as the second-highest wicket-taker for India in Tests with 537 scalps in 106 games, leaving him only behind Anil Kumble (619 wickets). He is also the seventh-highest wicket-taker in the longest format of the game.
"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 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.
Ravichandran Ashwin announces his retirement from all forms of international cricket.
December 18, 2024
Congratulations on a brilliant career 👏 pic.twitter.com/UHWAFmMwC0R Ashwin will continue to play club cricket and will be seen playing for the Chennai Super Kings in the Indian Premier League next year.
"A name synonymous with mastery, wizardry, brilliance, and innovation," said the BCCI in its tribute post on X.
𝙏𝙝𝙖𝙣𝙠 𝙔𝙤𝙪 𝘼𝙨𝙝𝙬𝙞𝙣 🫡
December 18, 2024
A name synonymous with mastery, wizardry, brilliance, and innovation 👏👏
The ace spinner and #TeamIndia's invaluable all-rounder announces his retirement from international cricket.
Congratulations on a legendary career, @ashwinravi99 ❤️ pic.twitter.com/swSwcP3QXAAshwin was seen sharing an emotional moment with star batter Virat Kohli in the dressing room hours before the announcement.
🫂💙🇮🇳
December 18, 2024
Emotional moments from the Indian dressing room 🥹#AUSvINDOnStar #BorderGavaskarTrophy #Ashwin #ViratKohli pic.twitter.com/92a4NqNsyPR Ashwin's Career Statistics
Apart from his 537 Test wickets, the off-spinner also scored 3503 Test runs with six hundreds and 14 fifties. In white-ball formats, he picked up 156 wickets in 116 ODI matches he played while in T20Is, he took 72 wickets in 65 games.
Cricketers React To R Ashwin's Retirement
"I've played with you for 14 years and when you told me today you're retiring, it made me a bit emotional and the flashbacks of all those years playing together came to me. I've enjoyed every bit of the journey with you ash, your skill and match winning contributions to Indian cricket are second to none and you will always and always be remembered as a legend of Indian cricket," Virat Kohli wrote in a post on X.
"Wish you nothing but the best in your life with your family and everything else that it unfolds for you. With massive respect and lots of love to you and your close ones. Thanks for everything buddy," he added.
I've played with you for 14 years and when you told me today you're retiring, it made me a bit emotional and the flashbacks of all those years playing together came to me. I've enjoyed every bit of the journey with you ash, your skill and match winning contributions to Indian… pic.twitter.com/QGQ2Z7pAgc
December 18, 2024"Well done on what's been an outstanding career. Proud to have played with you and definitely the greatest ever to have played from TAMILNADU," former India cricketer Dinesh Karthik said in a post on X.
a GOAT retires
December 18, 2024
Well done on what's been an outstanding career . Proud to have played with you and definitely the greatest ever to have played from TAMILNADU. @ashwinravi99
Much love and enjoy some leisurely time with family and friends ❤️#INDvAUS #ashwin#legendThanks @ashwinravi99 .. Have loved watching you play for India .. 👍
December 18, 2024Congratulations @ashwinravi99 on an outstanding career. So many match winning performances not only with ball but also with the bat and a wonderful ambassador of the game. Wish you ever more success in the second innings as well.
December 18, 2024
pic.twitter.com/NNryk2QHMCR Ashwin was also a part of India's team when they won the ODI World Cup in 2011 and the Champions Trophy in 2013.
(With PTI inputs)
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