Indian off-spinner R Ashwin announced his retirement from international cricket on Wednesday, following the conclusion of the third Border-Gavaskar Trophy Test against Australia in Brisbane.
Ashwin played only one of the first three Tests of the ongoing series in Australia, taking 1 for 53 in the day-night fixture in Adelaide.
A member of India’s victorious squad in the 2011 World Cup, Ashwin had limited opportunities during the tournament, playing second fiddle to Harbhajan Singh. However, he made his mark in the 2015 World Cup, taking 13 wickets in eight matches and playing a key role in India’s journey to the semifinals.
In T20 internationals, Ashwin’s standout performance came during the 2014 World Cup, where he claimed 4 for 11 against Australia and finished the tournament with 11 wickets, despite India falling short in the final.
Ashwin leaves the game as one of India’s finest spinners, with 537 Test wickets at an average of 24, making him the second-highest wicket-taker among Indian spinners after Anil Kumble. His illustrious career includes 37 five-wicket hauls in Tests.
In his early Test career, R Ashwin made an immediate impact, claiming nine five-wicket hauls in just his first 16 matches. His ability to dominate with the ball saw him set records as the fastest bowler to reach 300 Test wickets and the second-fastest to 400, trailing only the legendary Muthiah Muralitharan.
Ashwin’s peak came during the 2016-17 home season, where he was a cornerstone of India’s bowling attack. He dismantled New Zealand with 27 wickets in a three-Test series, followed it up with 28 scalps in five matches against England, grabbed six wickets in a one-off game against Bangladesh, and capped it off with 21 wickets in four Tests against Australia. It was a season of unparalleled brilliance that solidified his reputation as one of the world’s premier spinners.