By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
India’s spin spearhead Ravichandran Ashwin announced his retirement from international cricket in all formats after the third test against Australia finished in a draw in Brisbane on Wednesday.
The 38-year-old, the seventh-highest wicket-taker in Test history, was widely recognised as one of the greats of the modern game during a 14-year India career.
He took 537 wickets at an average of 24 in 106 Tests – second only to Anil Kumble’s 619 among India bowlers.
He also scored six centuries and averaged 25.75 with the bat.
“This will be my last day as an Indian cricketer in all formats in the international level,” Ashwin said at a news conference at the Gabba.
“I do feel there’s a bit of punch left in me as a cricketer, but I would like to showcase that in club level cricket.”
Ashwin took 156 wickets at 33.20 apiece in 116 one-day internationals and 72 at an average of 23.22 in 65 T20s.
He was part of the squad that won the 2011 World Cup in India, although he played only two games.
He will be remembered largely for his Test exploits – his tally of 37 five-wicket hauls is second only to Sri Lanka great Muttiah Muralitharan.
India coach Gautam Gambhir, who played alongside Ashwin, wrote on X: “The privilege of seeing you grow from a young bowler to a legend of modern cricket is something that I wouldn’t trade for the world.
“I know that generations of bowlers to come will say that I became a bowler because of Ashwin.”
Ashwin made his Test debut in 2011 against the West Indies and was also handy with the bat, scoring 3 503 runs with six centuries and 14 fifties.