R Ashwin to retire soon? Veteran Indian star makes huge statement days before his 38th birthday

Indian cricket star Ravichandran Ashwin is set to turn 38 on Tuesday. The veteran player is set to feature for India in the two-match Test series at home against Bangladesh. The opening game of the series will be held in R. Ashwin’s home ground in Chennai. 

India's ace bowler R. Ashwin recently sat down with leading journalist Vimal Kumar for an interview on the latter’s YouTube channel. Vimal Kumar asked R. Ashwin if he had any plans in hanging up his boots as he turns 38 soon. 

The Indian star replied to the journalist, “There is nothing like that in my mind. I am only thinking about one day at a time because when you get older, you have to put in extra effort every single day. It’s not the same. I have put in a lot of effort in the last 3-4 years. I haven’t decided (on retirement), but the day I feel that today I don’t want to improve, I will leave. That’s all."

Also read: Top 5 Indian Cricketers who have played more than 40 Tests and holds engineering degree

Can R. Ashwin break Anil Kumble’s record?

R. Ashwin played his 100th Test for India in Dharamsala against England earlier this year. The spinner from Chennai has so far picked 516 Test wickets. With five Test matches set to be played at home there is a good chance he could near the 550-Test wickets mark. 

Anil Kumble holds the record for the most test wickets for India with 619 scalps from 132 games. During his chat with the journalist, Ashwin revealed the former Indian legend has asked the off spinner to have a crack at his record. 

“Kuch target nahi hai. Anil Kumble Bhai wants me to break his record of 619 wickets. He is a good human; I have worked with him, but I am not keeping any targets," said the Indian star to Vimal Kumar. 

India’s veteran star also recounted the tough years he had between 2018 to 2020 in international cricket. “I have been very happy living by the day, and I have totally enjoyed my cricket. I am saying this because it’s a new lease of life. I know what I went through from 2018 to 2020. So, I know how my life changed after that and how I am playing cricket," said R. Ashwin

Rohit Sharma will hope R. Ashwin can be at his best against Bangladesh and New Zealand. Series win for India against both nations will take them on the cusp of their third successive World Test Championships finals. 

Ravichandran Ashwin ended the chat by saying, "I just want to hold on to this; I don’t want to lose my love for the game for anything. That could be a target or anything. The moment I feel I am losing the joy of my life by having to do more and I am not ready for it, I will leave."