Indian spinner Ravichandran Ashwin shocked the cricketing world by announcing his retirement from international cricket after the third Test against Australia in Brisbane. Following this bombshell, Sri Lankan legend Muttiah Muralitharan praised Ashwin, calling him a beacon for aspiring cricketers.
You must remember that Ashwin started his career as a batsman, dabbling in spin as a part-time option. He soon realised the writing was on the wall for his batting aspirations and shifted his focus to bowling. Hats off to him for making that bold pivot and achieving what he has. Reaching 500 Test wickets is no walk in the park.
I was at the tail end of my career when he came onto the scene, but he struck me as an astute young man eager to learn. He sought advice, asked thoughtful questions, and put in the hard yards to better himself. That drive and hunger are what set him apart.
To retire as India’s second-highest wicket-taker in Tests is a monumental feat. Ashwin has made himself, Tamil Nadu cricket, and the entire nation proud. I wish him all the success in his second innings.
Even as his career was winding down, his passion for learning never waned. Look at the variations he developed – proof that he wasn’t content to rest on his laurels. He always kept pushing the envelope.
And his batting? Hugely underrated. Scoring a Test hundred is a rare feat for bowlers, let alone achieving it six times.
Ashwin’s swan song came amidst the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. After being overlooked for the opening Test in Perth, he returned for the second Test in Adelaide, which India lost. Once again sidelined for the third Test in Brisbane, Ashwin announced his retirement moments after the match ended in a draw, with the series locked at 1-1.
With 537 Test wickets to his name—the seventh most in Test history —Ashwin bows out as India’s second-highest wicket-taker, trailing only former skipper Anil Kumble (619).
Ashwin’s journey is a masterclass in perseverance, reinvention, and excellence – proof that the cream always rises to the top.
