Ravichandran Ashwin, a legend of Test Cricket, the famous Indian cricketer announced retirement from all formats of international cricket immediately after the third Test against Australia in Brisbane on December 18. At 38 years old, Ashwin was ranked fifth among Test bowlers and third among all-rounders at the time of his retirement.
Ashwin is India’s second-highest wicket-taker in Tests, with 537 wickets, just behind Anil Kumble. He played 106 Tests in his 14-year career, with his last match being the day-night Test in Adelaide during the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy. He was the fastest bowler to reach 250, 300, and 350 Test wickets and ranks seventh on the all-time Test wicket-takers list.
Ashwin’s Early Days
He was born on September 17, 1986, in Chennai, India. R Ashwin started playing cricket at a very young age as a batter. Later on, he turned as a bowler and started taking lot of wickets. His love for cricket led him to work hard and improve his skills.
Ashwin’s rise to the Indian cricket team wasn’t easy, but his talent and hard work paid off. He made his debut for India in Test cricket in 2011, against the West Indies. His first match was a big step in his career, and he started to prove that he was ready to take on the best in the world.
| Format | Debut Match | Date | Venue | Last Played Match | Date | Venue |
| T20 | vs Zimbabwe | 2010-06-12 | Harare Sports Club | vs England | 2022-11-10 | Adelaide Oval |
| TEST | vs West Indies | 2011-11-06 | Arun Jaitley Stadium | vs Australia | 2024-12-06 | Adelaide Oval |
| ODI | vs Sri Lanka | 2010-06-05 | Harare Sports Club | vs Australia | 2023-10-08 | MA Chidambaram Stadium |
Ashwin’s Achievements in Test Cricket
Ashwin became one of the best bowlers in the world, especially in Test cricket. He is the second-highest wicket-taker for India in Test matches, after Anil Kumble. By the time he retired, Ashwin had taken 537 wickets in Test cricket.
Known for his clever bowling techniques, Ashwin’s ability to spin the ball and his variety of deliveries made him a dangerous bowler at any pitch. One of his biggest achievements was being the fastest bowler to reach 250, 300, and 350 wickets in Test cricket.
Apart from his all-round abilities, Ashwin also holds the record for dismissing the most left-handed batsmen in Test cricket. He has dismissed 268 left-handers in his test carrier, which is a huge achievement for any bowler. His 37 five-wicket hauls in Test matches record is the second-most by any bowler, his stats and performances in series also shows how important he was for India.
R Ashwin Test Batting Stats
| Matches | Innings | Runs | Balls | Highest Score | Average | Strike Rate (SR) | Not Out | Fours | Sixes | Ducks | 50s | 100s |
| 106 | 151 | 3503 | 6423 | 124 | 25.76 | 54.54 | 15 | 399 | 23 | 9 | 14 | 6 |
R Ashwin Test Bowling Stats
| Matches | Innings | Balls | Runs | Maidens | Wickets | Average | Economy (Eco) | Strike Rate (SR) | Best Bowling in Innings (BBI) | Best Bowling in Match (BBM) | 4w | 5w | 10w |
| 106 | 200 | 27,246 | 12,891 | 907 | 537 | 24.01 | 2.84 | 50.74 | 7/59 | 13/140 | 25 | 37 | 8 |
Ashwin’s Role as an All-Rounder
Ashwin wasn’t just a bowler; he was also a handy batter. He contributed with the bat in many matches and scored important runs for India. He scored 3503 runs in Test cricket, including six centuries and 14 half-centuries. Ashwin is known for being one of the few players to score a century and take five wickets in the same Test match. He did this four times, which is a record for Indian cricketers.
As an all-rounder, Ashwin played a key role in India’s success in Test cricket. His ability to bat and bowl made him an important part of the team, especially in tough matches.
Ashwin’s Time in One Day and T20 Cricket
Although Ashwin was most famous for his Test cricket performances, he also had a successful career in One Day Internationals (ODIs) and Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is). While he was not always part of the limited-overs team, he played some very important matches and helped India win key games.
ODI and T20 Batting Stats
| Format | Matches | Innings | Runs | Balls | Highest Score | Average | Strike Rate (SR) | Not Out | Fours | Sixes | Ducks | 50s |
| ODI | 116 | 63 | 707 | 813 | 65 | 16.44 | 86.96 | 20 | 60 | 7 | 6 | 1 |
| T20 | 65 | 19 | 184 | 160 | 31 | 26.29 | 115 | 12 | 17 | 4 | 0 | 0 |
ODI and T20 Bowling Stats
| Format | Matches | Innings | Balls | Runs | Maidens | Wickets | Average | Economy (Eco) | Strike Rate (SR) | Best Bowling in Innings (BBI) | 4w | 5w |
| ODI | 116 | 114 | 6,303 | 5180 | 37 | 156 | 33.21 | 4.93 | 40.4 | 4/25 | 1 | 0 |
| T20 | 65 | 65 | 1452 | 1672 | 3 | 72 | 23.22 | 6.91 | 20.17 | 4/8 | 2 | 0 |
Ashwin’s Awards and Recognition
Throughout his career, Ashwin received many awards and honors.
- In 2015, he was awarded the Arjuna Award by the Indian government, the prestigious award given to sportsmen for their contribution to sports.
- In 2016, He was named as the ICC Cricketer of the Year.
- He was also included in the ICC Test Team of the Decade (2011-2020).
These awards are proof of Ashwin’s greatness as a cricketer. He was not just an important player for India, but also one of the best bowlers in the world. Ashwin’s retirement marks the end of an era, but his achievements will be remembered for many years to come.
Ashwin’s Legacy in Indian Cricket
Apart from discussion about his skill, hard work, dedication, love for the game. Ashwin is also a mentor and a leader in the dressing room. His experience and advice helped many younger players on the team.
What next for him?
Speaking at a press conference with Rohit Sharma, Ashwin said, “This is my last day as an Indian cricketer in all formats.” He added that he might still play club cricket but had enjoyed his international journey.
Although Ashwin has got retired from international cricket, but still plays in domestic tournaments like the Tamil Nadu Premier League (TNPL) and in the Indian Premier League (IPL). Ashwin was bought by Chennai Super Kings (CSK) for INR 9.75 crore in the IPL 2025 auction, and he will continue playing in this popular league.
Ashwin’s return to CSK will be exciting for his fans. He will also continue playing in club cricket and may even take on new roles in coaching or mentoring young players. If you want to stay updated with cricket news and more stories like this, visit 96in.com. Don’t forget to check out the 96in affiliates and explore the 96in.com app for the latest updates. Stay tuned to 96.in com for all things cricket.