Legendary Indian bowler R Ashwin announced his retirement on Wednesday following the drawn third Test against Australia at GABBA, Brisbane.
Ashwin, who played only a solitary match in the ongoing series and picked up a single wicket, retired aged 38 years.
The off-spinner had been an integral part of the team when India dominated Test cricket, especially at home from 2012-2024. He won a record 11 player of the series awards, equaling Muttaiah Muralithan.
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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).
His tally of 537 wickets puts him seventh on the all-time list.
Ashwin’s count of 37 five-wicket hauls in Test cricket is joint-second best alongside Shane Warne, and only behind M Muralitharan’s tally of 67. At the time of his retirement, Ashwin holds the record for dismissing most left-handers in Test cricket.
Apart from bowling records, Ashwin also scored six Test centuries and scored over 3,500 runs in the format. He spinner also played 116 ODIs and picked up 156 wickets. Further, he represented India in 65 T20Is and had 72 scalps — the highest for an Indian at one point.
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“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.
“He was very, very sure of his decision. We should stand by what he wants,” said Rohit after Ashwin left the stage.
He was seen sharing an emotional moment with star batter Virat Kohli in the dressing room hours before the announcement
