Breaking News: Ravi Ashwin announces retirement from international cricket with immediate effect

Ravi Ashwin played in 106 test matches, picking up 537 wickets at an average of 24.

Senior India off-spinner Ravi Ashwin has retired from all forms of international cricket. The 38-year-old announced this news following the conclusion of the third BGT 2024-25 test at the Gabba on Wednesday.

The Gabba test ended in a draw due to a significant portion of the match getting impacted by rain in Brisbane. India were set a target of 275 runs with 54 overs to play. But only 2.1 overs were possible and rain arrived, causing one last break in the match that has been littered with several rain breaks.

After the post-match presentation ceremony, Ravi Ashwin joined captain Rohit Sharma in the press conference and announced his retirement from international cricket.

Ashwin said, “I don’t want to make this about myself. This is my last day as international cricketer. I have created a lot of memories. We are the last bunch of OGs in the dressing room.”

RAVI ASHWIN ANNOUNCES HIS RETIREMENT.– An emotional speech by Ash. 🥹❤️pic.twitter.com/ZkVoKVD0m0

— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) December 18, 2024

Captain Rohit revealed that Ashwin had conveyed his decision to retire following the Perth test, in which he was not picked, but the skipper convinced him to hang on for the pink-ball test in Adelaide, which he played. Ashwin was dropped for the Gabba test.

Rohit Sharma said, “I came to know in Perth about Ravi Ashwin retirement, but I convinced him to wait at least to play the Pink Ball test”.

Ashwin bowed out with 537 wickets at an average of 24 in 106 test matches as the second-highest test wicket-taker for India behind only Anil Kumble, who claimed 619 wickets.

Ashwin had a disappointing home test series against New Zealand, where he picked up only nine wickets at an average of 41. It was India’s first home test series loss since 2012 and their first-ever home 3-0 whitewash.

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