The entire Indian dressing room turned emotional when ace spinner Ravichandran Ashwin announced his retirement from international cricket on Wednesday (December 18). He dropped a bombshell on the final day of the third BGT 2024-25 test between India and Australia in Gabba.
Ashwin left behind an everlasting legacy for the young spinners in the country to emulate his greatness across all formats of the game. However, he was sensational in red-ball format, picking up 537 wickets in 106 games, with 37 five-wicket hauls. He ends as the second-highest test wicket-taker for India.
The 38-year-old was a key contributor in the lower-order with the bat as well. He garnered 3,503 runs, with six centuries and 14 fifties and stood like a rock for the side in crunch situations.
However, Ashwin decided to bid farewell to international cricket, after he felt his services were no longer needed. According to reports, he was not expected to be considered for Melbourne and Sydney test, after Ravindra Jadeja slammed an impressive 77 in Gabba.
Moreover, India will play their next test series in England in June 2025, where the side will likely favor fast bowlers. The home test is around one year away, which was his key expertise over the years.
The shocking decision sent shockwaves through the cricket fraternity and the fans. However, the most affected was the Indian dressing room, who couldn’t come to terms with the legendary spinner retiring in the middle of the series.
The video posted by BCCI sees Ravichandran Ashwin hugging almost all players and support staff ahead of his retirement speech. In particular, top-order batter Shubman Gill looked devastated as the spinner broke out the news, while opener Yashasvi Jaiswal can also be heard saying to Ashwin, “I still can’t realize.” Meanwhile, senior players Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli are also seen getting emotional while hearing Ashwin’s farewell speech.
Ravi Shastri relates Ashwin’s retirement to MS Dhoni’s shocking announcement in 2014
Speaking on SEN Radio, Ravi Shastri recalled the time when former captain MS Dhoni announced his test retirement in the middle of the BGT 2014-15 series. The Indian team under Dhoni failed to win the first two tests and played out a draw in Melbourne and had lost the series with the final game to be played in Sydney.
Dhoni said to head coach Ravi Shastri that he needs five minutes to have a chat with the players after the MCG game. Surprisingly, he announced that his time in the longest format is up, and he can’t take the strain of playing across all formats.
Shastri revealed that none of the players had no clue about Dhoni bidding farewell to test cricket.
“I looked around the dressing room. I asked players if he had had a chat with them. No one had a clue. Even the guys who went out or spent time with him three days before that. No one had a clue he’s going to come and say what he did,” he said.
In place of Dhoni, Virat Kohli led the Indian side in SCG, as the game ended in a draw. It was the last occasion of Australia winning the BGT, as India have managed to retain the trophy in the last four series.
FAQs
How many wickets did Ashwin take in ODIs?
156 wickets in 116 games
Was Ravichandran Ashwin part of India’s 2011 World Cup team?
Yes
