The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has congratulated one of cricket’s best players, Ravichandran Ashwin, on an incredible career. After Wednesday’s end of the third Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy at The Gabba in Brisbane, the star spinner declared his retirement from international cricket.
Ashwin leaves behind an unmatched history as a name that is synonymous with mastery, sorcery, brilliance, and creativity. Throughout his 14-year career, Ashwin established standards in both red-ball and white-ball cricket. His incredible journey of 106 Test matches, 116 One-Day Internationals, and 65 Twenty20 Internationals is evidence of his exceptional skill, unwavering dedication to the game, and thorough research.
Ashwin has made a very remarkable contribution to Indian cricket.
He is one of cricket’s most productive bowlers, having taken 537 Test wickets, 156 ODI dismissals, and 72 T20 International scalps. In Test cricket, he has taken 37 five-wicket hauls, which is the second-highest in the history of the game, and eight ten-wicket hauls. His ability to produce game-winning performances is demonstrated by these accomplishments.
Ashwin was always at his best when facing the best opponents. With an outstanding 115 Test wickets against Australia and 114 against England, he leaves the game. In the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, he notably claimed 115 wickets, the second-highest total in the competition’s history.
Beyond his skill as a bowler, Ashwin was a great all-rounder due to his batsmanship. Six Test hundreds and fourteen fifties were among his many tenacious knocks in trying circumstances. Five-wicket hauls in the same match accompanied four of his hundreds, a unique accomplishment that demonstrated his significant contributions to the squad. Ashwin won 11 Player of the Series accolades, which is tied for the most in the game’s longest format, thanks to his all-around abilities.
His accomplishments in white-ball cricket had a comparable influence. Ashwin, who was a part of India’s 2011 World Cup winning team, was instrumental in India’s 2013 ICC Champions Trophy victory. He successfully defended 15 runs in the last over of the final match against England in Birmingham.
With his creativity, intelligence, and unparalleled talent, Ashwin has distinguished himself in Indian cricket and enhanced its history.
Roger Binny, President, BCCI, said: “Ashwin’s brilliance has been a cornerstone of Indian cricket’s success over the years. From being a prodigious talent to becoming one of the greatest off-spinners in cricketing history, his achievements are a source of immense pride. He redefined spin bowling and always sought to stay ahead of the curve. Ashwin is a perfect role model for young cricketers. I thank him for his invaluable contributions to Indian cricket.”
Rajeev Shukla, BCCI Vice-President, said: “Ashwin’s journey is a testament to the heights that dedication and passion can achieve. His ability to think ahead of the game has been a tremendous asset to Indian cricket. In Ashwin, we’ve witnessed a bowler who didn’t just take wickets but dismantled batting strategies. His approach to the game, combined with his exceptional skills, has made him one of the most respected cricketers of his generation. I congratulate him on an outstanding career.”
Devajit Saikia, BCCI Joint Secretary, said: “Ashwin has been a game-changer in every sense. Whether it was his magical spells on the field or his insightful discussions off it, he brought something truly special to Indian cricket. His ability to reinvent himself, develop new bowling variations, and consistently perform at the highest level makes him a true legend. His extraordinary career serves as an example for future generations of cricketers who will undoubtedly look up to him as an ideal role model.”
India
