Star Indian player R. Ashwin announces his international retirement

The third Test match between Australia and India has ended in a draw after the final session of play was washed out due to rain. The series heads to Melbourne with the series tied at one game apiece. Amidst all this, there is a huge development that has taken place. 

Veteran India bowler R. Ashwin called time on his career while announcing his decision via joint press conference with Rohit Sharma. The 38-year-old was seen having a chat with Virat Kohli while the players were waiting for the final decision regarding the game while the tea was being taken. Ashwin could be seen with tears in his eyes as he was given a warm hug by Kohli.

Vedio is here
Kohli hugging Ashwin in dressing room #AUSvINDpic.twitter.com/Y3jYiRSxth

— Cricket Tak 🇮🇳 (@CricketTak12) December 18, 2024

While the news hasn’t been confirmed yet, the 38-year-old’s retirement is a huge blow for India. Ashwin will end as India’s second best test wicket taker with 537 scalps with Anil Kumble leading with the list with 619 wickets. 

End of an era in sight in Brisbane

Ashwin's retirement is a sad end to a career for one of India’s star player. Ashwin played in the Adelaide Test match and scored a total of 29 runs with the bat and picked the wicket of Mitchell Marsh for 9 runs. He made his test debut in 2011 during the Delhi Test match versus West Indies. 

So far, Ashwin has played 106 Test matches and picked 537 wickets with a best of 7/59. The right-arm spinner also has picked 37 fifers and 8 ten-wicket hauls in the game. With the bat, Ashwin scored 3503 runs with an average of 24 and has 6 centuries and 14 fifties to his name. His last century came at home during the 1st Test match versus Bangladesh. 

Ashwin has also played in 116 ODI matches and 65 T20I games for India and picked 156 and 72 wickets respectively. Washington Sundar, who has been long spoken about as the readymade replacement will be in line to come in for Ashwin. It isn’t clear if Ashwin will quit after the Brisbane Test or the Melbourne Test match. The reports are still awaited.