Cricket fraternity reacts as Ravi Ashwin announces retirement from international cricket

Published at :December 18, 2024 at 2:06 PM

Modified at :December 18, 2024 at 2:06 PM

Ravi Ashwin made his India debut in 2010.

Veteran Indian cricketer Ravi Ashwin announced his retirement from international cricket on Wednesday, December 18. The off-spinner confirmed the decision, stating it was his final day as an Indian cricketer during a press conference with skipper Rohit Sharma at the Gabba in Brisbane.

Ravi Ashwin, 38, announced his decision shortly after India drew the third BGT 2024-25 test against Australia in Brisbane, bringing an end to a remarkable 14-year career for India. Ravi Ashwin bowed out with 537 test wickets, trailing only the great Anil Kumble’s total of 619 test scalps.

Captain Rohit Sharma also revealed that Ashwin would not be with the team for the remainder of the series and would return to India on Thursday.

It’s been a lot of fun: Ravi Ashwin on his retirement

Ravi Ashwin played 106 tests, 116 ODIs and 65 T20Is for India and was part of India’s 2011 ICC World Cup and 2013 ICC Champions Trophy victories. Overall, he took 765 internationals wickets, behind only Kumble among Indians.

“This will be my last day as an Indian cricketer in all formats at the international level. I do feel that there’s a bit of punch left in me as a cricketer, but I would like to explore it and showcase that at club-level cricket. But this will be my last day. It’s been a lot of fun. I must say I’ve created a lot of memories with Rohit and several of my other teammates. Even though I have lost some of them over the last few years, we are the last bunch of OGs, if you can say that. Left out in the dressing room, and I will be marking this as my date of having played at this level,” Ashwin said during the post-match press conference.

Ashwin only played one test out of three in the ongoing BGT 2024-25. He played in the second test in Adelaide, where he took just one wicket and recorded scores of 22 and 7.

His prowess as a test all-rounder was evident through his six centuries in the longest format and 3503 runs. His performances earned him the top spot in the ICC test all-rounder rankings.

Today as he retired from international cricket, several current and former cricketers took to X (Formerly Twitter) to share their tributes to the master off-spinner on a fabulous career.

Cricket fraternity reacts as Ravichandran Ashwin retires from international cricket:

I’ve played with you for 14 years and when you told me today you’re retiring, it made me a bit emotional and the flashbacks of all those years playing together came to me. I’ve enjoyed every bit of the journey with you ash, your skill and match winning contributions to Indian… pic.twitter.com/QGQ2Z7pAgc
— Virat Kohli (@imVkohli) December 18, 2024

Congratulations on an incredible journey, @ashwinravi99! Standing at slip was never a dull moment with you bowling, every ball felt like a chance waiting to happen. All the best for your next chapter! pic.twitter.com/HhBUHVPu3v
— Ajinkya Rahane (@ajinkyarahane88) December 18, 2024

The privilege of seeing you grow from a young bowler to a legend of modern cricket is something that I wouldn’t trade for the world! I know that generations of bowlers to come will say that I became a bowler coz of Ashwin! U will be missed brother! ❤️ @ashwinravi99 pic.twitter.com/fuATAjE8aw
— Gautam Gambhir (@GautamGambhir) December 18, 2024

Well played Ash and congratulations on a legendary journey! From spinning webs around the best in the world to standing tall in tough situations, you’ve been a real asset to the team. Welcome to the other side! 🙌🏻 @ashwinravi99
— Yuvraj Singh (@YUVSTRONG12) December 18, 2024

.@ashwinravi99, your journey has been nothing short of extraordinary! With over 700 international wickets and a keen cricketing mind, you are one of the finest to have graced the field. Congratulations on a stellar career, and here's to an even brighter future off the field! 👏🏽🇮🇳 pic.twitter.com/60lbNnyPi8
— Anil Kumble (@anilkumble1074) December 18, 2024

Take a bow, Ashwin bro! 🏏 Your magic with the ball, sharp cricketing mind, and unmatched passion for Test cricket will forever be etched in our hearts. Thank you for giving us countless moments of joy and pride. Wishing you all the best for your next chapter! 🙌❤️ #Ashwin… pic.twitter.com/5jBuHusPn2
— Suresh Raina🇮🇳 (@ImRaina) December 18, 2024

An absolute match-winner, @ashwinravi99! Retiring as India’s second-highest wicket-taker in Test cricket is nothing short of monumental. Combine that with his invaluable batting contributions, and you get one of the game’s solid all-rounders. Well done, Ash! pic.twitter.com/9UAxCNouSf
— Irfan Pathan (@IrfanPathan) December 18, 2024

Congratulations @ashwinravi99 on an outstanding career. So many match winning performances not only with ball but also with the bat and a wonderful ambassador of the game. Wish you ever more success in the second innings as well. pic.twitter.com/NNryk2QHMC
— Venkatesh Prasad (@venkateshprasad) December 18, 2024

a GOAT retires Well done on what's been an outstanding career . Proud to have played with you and definitely the greatest ever to have played from TAMILNADU. @ashwinravi99 Much love and enjoy some leisurely time with family and friends ❤️#INDvAUS #ashwin #legend
— DK (@DineshKarthik) December 18, 2024

He wasn't just a match winner he was a series winner. Congratulations on a phenomenal career @ashwinravi99! Will go down as one of the greats of the game. Don't go too far away though, cricket is richer with you. 537 Test wkts at 24.01! CHAMPION 🙌🏻 #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/0Kx0N6NwRX
— Wasim Jaffer (@WasimJaffer14) December 18, 2024

Congratulations @ashwinravi99 on a phenomenal cricket career. Your ambition as a test cricketer was admirable. Well done for being the flag bearer of Indian spin for more than a decade. Be very proud of your achievements and hopefully see you more often now.
— Harbhajan Turbanator (@harbhajan_singh) December 18, 2024

.@ashwinravi99 🐐🤍 pic.twitter.com/z4VlTpVf4M
— Washington Sundar (@Sundarwashi5) December 18, 2024

Hey Ash, congratulations on a magnificent career, old boy. You were an invaluable asset during my tenure as coach and enriched the game immensely with your skill and craft. God bless. @ashwinravi99 @BCCI @ICC #Ashwin #AUSvsIND pic.twitter.com/ZLelKjmEdu
— Ravi Shastri (@RaviShastriOfc) December 18, 2024

Sharpest cricketing brain and very skilled bowler. For me R Ashwin is the greatest Indian off-spinner, true Test all-rounder and a modern day great. Somehow I feel he deserved a much better farewell. @ashwinravi99
— Mohammad Kaif (@MohammadKaif) December 18, 2024

He came, he saw, he conquered, and he left like a legend!This is so your style to spin this sudden announcement, Ashley !! One of the best spinners I have had the privilege of sharing the dressing room with. Thank you for the magic, the memories, and the mastery.Continue to… pic.twitter.com/COXosJpgz3
— Mayank Agarwal (@mayankcricket) December 18, 2024

Congratulations to you and your family, Ash! Wishing you all the best for the future. You have been an outstanding champion for the team 👏🏼👏🏼 https://t.co/hmR6DXyyFf
— Pragyan Ojha (@pragyanojha) December 18, 2024

Champion Cricketer. One of the biggest match-winners for India in Tests. #ThankYouAsh
— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) December 18, 2024

Only one on the list with 6 test 100s 👏👏 https://t.co/3wcaqTYYSC
— Herschelle Gibbs (@hershybru) December 18, 2024

What a wonderful player @ashwinravi99 has been for India, a fierce competitor who appeared to strive for constant improvement. A real student of the game and was always happy to share his wisdom. #ClassAct #Ashwin
— Tom Moody (@TomMoodyCricket) December 18, 2024

Thank you Ravi Ashwin. Glad you came, and that you were a part of the international game for so long, with such excellence. You taught, you educated and you entertained🙏🏽.
— Ian Raphael Bishop (@irbishi) December 18, 2024

Well that was a Doosra never saw coming?Sad to see the end of one of the best at international level. Congratulations on a fantastic career.#RavichandranAshwin pic.twitter.com/9zEygXV7xJ
— Brad Hogg (@Brad_Hogg) December 18, 2024

Thanks @ashwinravi99 .. Have loved watching you play for India .. 👍
— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) December 18, 2024

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