India’s premier spinner Ravichandran Ashwin shocked fans on Wednesday by announcing his retirement from international cricket at the end of the third Border-Gavaskar Trophy Test in Brisbane. With the series tied at 1-1, the veteran spinner made his decision public after India’s second Test in Adelaide.
During a rain break on Day 5, Ashwin was seen in an emotional conversation with former India captain Virat Kohli in the dressing room, culminating in a heartfelt embrace that marked the end of an era.
The 38-year-old off-spinner retires as India’s second-highest Test wicket-taker, with 537 wickets in 106 Tests, including 37 five-wicket hauls—second only to Sri Lankan great Muttiah Muralidaran. Across formats, Ashwin bagged 765 wickets, behind only Anil Kumble (956) for India.
Ashwin was instrumental in India’s 2011 ODI World Cup and 2013 Champions Trophy victories, while his legacy as a dominant force in the World Test Championship (WTC) remains unmatched. He was the first bowler to claim 100 WTC wickets and currently leads the charts with 195 scalps in 41 matches.
As Ashwin bids farewell to international cricket, he leaves behind a legacy of spin mastery and unmatched consistency, cementing his place among the greatest bowlers in the sport’s history.