Spin legend R Ashwin announces his retirement from international cricket

Indian cricket team spinner R Ashwin announced his retirement from international cricket after the third Test match against Australia in Brisbane on Wednesday. Ashwin made the announcement in the post-match press conference along with captain Rohit Sharma after the match ended in a draw. Ashwin played the second match of the five-Test series in Adelaide but was replaced by Ravindra Jadeja for the match in Brisbane. Ashwin retires as the second-highest wicket-taker for India in Tests with 537 scalps in 106 matches, leaving him behind only Anil Kumble (619 wickets).

Ashwin will continue to play T20 tournaments and represent Chennai Super Kings in IPL 2025.

𝙏𝙝𝙖𝙣𝙠 𝙔𝙤𝙪 𝘼𝙨𝙝𝙬𝙞𝙣

A name that represents mastery, magic, brilliance and innovation

The ace spinner and #TeamIndias invaluable all-rounder announces his retirement from international cricket.

Congratulations on a legendary career, @ashwinravi99pic.twitter.com/swSwcP3QXA

— BCCI (@BCCI) December 18, 2024

“I won’t take up too much of your time. Today will be the last day for me as an Indian cricketer,” Ashwin said at the end of the drawn third Test here in a joint press conference with captain Rohit Sharma, where he declined to answer any questions and left after the announcement.

The 38-year-old played the day-night Test in Adelaide and picked up a wicket.

“He was very, very sure of his decision. We should stand by what he wants,” Rohit said 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. “A name synonymous with mastery, magic, brilliance and innovation,” the BCCI said in its tribute post on X.

(With PTI inputs)