Credit: The Cricket Lounge
The maestro of spin calls time on his glittering career after the Gabba Test, let’s take a spin through Ashwin’s iconic achievements
So, the curtain finally falls. Ravichandran Ashwin, India’s spin maestro, has left international cricket. Ashwin’s sad goodbye occurred during the third Border-Gavaskar Trophy Test at the Gabba, which ended in a draw.
Ashwin played 106 Tests and scored 3,503 runs at an average of 25.92, including six centuries and 14 half-centuries. Add his staggering 537 wickets to it, and you have the ideal all-round package. His ODI statistics include 116 matches, 707 runs, and 156 wickets, while his T20I record consists of 72 scalps in 65 games, demonstrating his versatility across forms. But wait—Ashwin’s legacy is more than statistics; his talent, guts, and unrivalled records have made him a legend.
THE GOAT ANNOUNCING HIS RETIREMENT, ASHWIN 💔 pic.twitter.com/L8f7cKQMw5
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) December 18, 2024
Let’s look at these unique records that the world might never forget.
Ashwin has dismissed 268 left-handed batters in Tests, the most by any bowler in history. His ability to outwit left-handers became his trademark talent. Remember his tussle with David Warner or his dominance over Alastair Cook? Ashwin’s variations, angles, and turns reduced lefties to mere mortals.
He is the only cricketer in Test history to have scored 20 fifty-plus runs and got 30 five-wicket hauls. Ashwin, a consummate all-rounder, relied on his bat as much as his ball skills. Who could forget his excellent 102* against Bangladesh in Chennai or his match-winning combination with Hanuma Vihari in Sydney?
Ravichandran Ashwin made his 100th Test match a memorable one. He put up an outstanding all-round performance against England in Ahmedabad in February 2021. Ashwin not only took eight wickets in the match, but he also hit a critical 106 in the second innings, leading India to a dominant victory.
This feat made him only the second player in Test history, after Ian Botham, to strike a century and take five wickets in their 100th Test. It was a celebration of Ashwin's unprecedented effect on the game, a fitting tribute to his standing as one of cricket's best all-rounders.
Ashwin achieved a feat that cricket had not seen in a century. During the 2023 Dominica Test, he became the first bowler in 100 years to take two five-wicket hauls on West Indian soil. The last player to do this was England's Sydney Barnes in 1923. This masterclass in control, cunning, and tenacity cemented Ashwin's place among the all-time greats.
Ashwin has 11 Player of the Series honours, tied with the legendary Muttiah Muralitharan for the most in Test cricket. This record reflects his unrivalled domination in every series he played. Whether he was weaving webs at home or confusing batters abroad, Ashwin was frequently the face of India’s victories.
Ashwin has the most incredible strike rate of any spinner in Test cricket (50.7 wickets per 200 balls). His bowling style was marked by its efficiency and effectiveness. His fantastic ability to pluck wickets in vital circumstances made him a captain’s dream.
Ashwin set a cricketing landmark by being the first Indian to dismiss a father-son pair in Tests. He sent Tagenarine Chanderpaul packing during the Dominica Test in 2023, much like he had done with his father, Shivnarine Chanderpaul, several times before. This unusual record demonstrates Ashwin’s durability and stability throughout generations.
Bonus: Milestones that speak volumes
537 wickets: The second-highest wicket-taker for India and the seventh overall in Test cricket.
37 five-wicket hauls: Tied with Shane Warne for the second most in history, only behind Muttiah Muralitharan.
Four centuries and five-wicket hauls in the exact match (4 times): Second only to Ian Botham (5).
Never missed a Test at home: His fortress, his theatre—Ashwin was always present, always ready.
🚨 JUST IN: Ravichandran Ashwin retires from all forms of international cricket #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/QH09se7V81
— ESPNcricinfo (@ESPNcricinfo) December 18, 2024
The Gabba Test may not have been a thrilling triumph, but Ashwin’s decision to depart left a melancholy note. His efforts during India’s rise to worldwide prominence, particularly in Test cricket, are unparalleled. The Boxing Day Test at the MCG will usher in a new era for Indian cricket, but Ashwin’s shadow will linger—etched in the hearts of spectators and on the pages of history.
Ashwin’s retirement marks the end of an era. The wickets, milestones, and excellent spells make up the fabric of a brilliant career. The cricketing world salutes you, Ash Anna. Thank you for these memories.
