Ashwin retires after playing 106 Tests, 116 ODIs and 65 T20Is for India from 2010-2024.
On Wednesday, December 18, Indian off-spinner R Ashwin announced his retirement from all international cricket formats. Speaking at the news conference with skipper Rohit Sharma at the Gabba in Brisbane, the off-spinner acknowledged the decision and declared it his final day as an Indian cricket player.
Following a draw in the third Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Brisbane, Ashwin made his announcement. Captain Rohit Sharma announced that R Ashwin would return to India on Thursday, December 19, and not be joining the team for the rest of the series.
"This will be my last day as an Indian cricket in all formats of the game at the international level. I do feel there is a bit of punch left in me in a cricketer. I would like to showcase that in club-level cricket. So, this will be my last day. I have had a lot of fun. I must say I've created a lot of memories alongside Rohit and several of my teammates," Ashwin said at the press conference.
"Obviously, there are a lot of people to thank. But, I would be failing in my duty if I didn't thank the BCCI and the rest of my teammates. I want to name a few of them and all the coaches -- Rohit, Virat, Ajinkya, and Pujara who have taken all those catches in the slips to help me get those wickets,” Ashwin added.
Ashwin finishes with 537 wickets and 3503 runs in 106 Tests, 156 wickets in 116 ODIs, and 72 wickets in 65 T20Is for India from 2010-2024. He was part of India’s 2011 World Cup and 2013 Champions Trophy winning teams.
Ashwin was named the ICC Cricketer of the Year and ICC Test Cricketer of the Year in 2016, becoming only the third Indian to win the Sir Garfield Sobers Trophy for his remarkable all-round performances that year.
Today, as he bid goodbye to international cricket, R Ashwin received tributes from his teammates and the Indian cricket fraternity on social media.
Here are the posts: