Ravichandran (Ravi) Ashwin was a star player for the Indian cricket team in all formats for many years. However, as time has gone on, his participation in the shortest formats (ODI's and T20's) has slowly diminished. This has slowly come true for his participation in Tests.
When India play outside the subcontinent, he would find himself in and out of the Test side. This is in stark contrast to when they play in the subcontinent; where he would usually play in every match possible. It's quite clear (at least to me), being excluded from the team for the 3rd Test team (he was replaced by Ravindra Jadeja) was the straw that broke the camel's back. At the post-match presser, he appeared to announce his retirement.
The 38-year-old, who took 537 wickets in 106 Tests, announced his immediate retirement after the third match in Brisbane ended in a rain-affected draw.
He said, "This will be my last day as an Indian cricketer in all formats at an international level. I do feel there's a bit of punch left in me as a cricketer but I would like to showcase that in club-level cricket. It's a very emotional moment. I have had a lot of fun. I have made a lot of memories."
Ashwin was left out of the opening match of the series in Perth, before being recalled for the second Test in Adelaide. He was left out in Brisbane in favour of Ravindra Jadeja. Captain Rohit Sharma said he was aware Ashwin was considering retirement before the series but convinced him to play in Adelaide last week.
As well as his Test career, which also included six hundreds, Ashwin also played in 116 one-day internationals and 65 T20i's for India.
India batter, Virat Kohli, said on X, "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 cricket are second to none and you will always be remembered as a legend of Indian cricket."
"Wish you nothing but the best in your life with your family and everything else that it unfolds for you. With massive respect and lots of love to you and your close ones. Thanks for everything buddy."
As per a report from the news agency, PTI, Ashwin was no longer willing to travel to Australia for the current five-match Test series between Australia and India. According to the report, he decided to abruptly retire after being passed over for two of the three games played by India's head coach, Gautam Gambhir. He didn't want to tour Australia unless he was assured a place in the starting line-up.
The report stated, "It is understood that retirement had been on Ashwin’s mind following India’s shocking 0-3 home series loss to New Zealand. The legendary off-spinner had conveyed to the team management that he would not travel to Australia for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy unless guaranteed a spot in the playing XI."
"India’s decision to play Washington Sundar ahead of Ashwin in the Perth Test seemed to be the tipping point. Although Ashwin returned for the pink-ball Test in Adelaide at Rohit Sharma’s insistence, Ravindra Jadeja was preferred for the subsequent Brisbane Test. As Rohit stated after the drawn third Test in Gabba, the squad’s composition for the final matches in Melbourne and Sydney remained uncertain."
"The decision to omit Ashwin for Washington Sundar in Perth appeared to have been taken in Rohit’s absence, with coach Gautam Gambhir reportedly having a significant say. By the time Rohit linked up with the team, he had to persuade Ashwin to play in Adelaide."
Ashwin has said his international retirement decision was instinctive but something that was on his mind for a while as the veteran spinner returned home from Australia today (December 19). The 38-year-old, who felt a sense of relief and satisfaction after the announcement, revealed that it was emotional but not a difficult decision, which was made within the final two days of play at the Gabba, where the senior spinner didn't feature in the playing XI.
"It's emotional for a lot of people. It will be emotional, maybe it will sink in. But for me, it's a great sense of relief and satisfaction...It had been running in my head for a while but it was very instinctive. I felt it on day 4 and called it on day 5..," Ashwin told reporters on his arrival to his home.
Ashwin will go back to where it all started for him in the Indian Premier League (IPL) as Chennai Super Kings (CSK) bought the spinner during the IPL 2025 Mega Auction last month. The seasoned spinner once again stressed that he is not done with cricket completeley.
"...I am going to play for CSK and don't be surprised if I try and aspire to play for as long as I can. I don't think Ashwin the cricketer is done, I think Ashwin the Indian cricketer has probably called it time. That's it," Ashwin added, hinting that he could play way beyond the next season for CSK.
Before boarding an evening flight for Chennai, Ashwin also addressed his team-mates, assuring them of being there for them as and when they need. "The cricketer in me, the Indian cricketer, international cricketer might have come to an end, but the cricket nut in me will never come to an end," he told the dressing room in a farewell address shared by the BCCI on social media.
Former Indian captain and legendary opener, Sunil Gavaskar, reacted to Ravi Ashwin's retirement decision's impact on the team and said the all-rounder did the same thing that MS Dhoni did during the 2014-15 Asutralia series.
Gavaskar drew parallels to MS Dhoni's mid-series retirement during the 2014-15 Test series in Australia, arguing that such decisions disrupt team planning. "He could have said, listen after the end of the series, I won't be available for selection for India. What it does is that, similarly when MS Dhoni retired at the end of the 3rd Test in 2014-15 series, it leaves you one short," Gavaskar told broadcasters.
"The selection committee has picked so many players for a tour with a purpose. If there are any injuries they can select from the reserve players to have in the team. So, Sydney is somewhere where there is a lot of support on offer for spinners. So India could have played with two spinners. You never know. He could have been there for sure. I don't know how the pitch in Melbourne will be like. Normally, you tend to look at the end of the series. That's it. In the middle, it is not usual," he added.
When asked if Washington Sundar was being groomed to replace Ashwin, Gavaskar admitted it seemed likely. "Maybe Washington Sundar is ahead of him. Rohit mentioned that Sundar is flying out tomorrow. So, this marks the end of Ashwin as an international cricketer. He has been one heck of a cricketer," Gavaskar said.
Menwhile, Sundar posted a heartfelt post for state-mate Ashwin on Instagram, following the all-rounder's retirement. "More than just a teammate - Ash anna, you have been an inspiration, a mentor and a true champion of the game. It's been an honour to share the field and the dressing room with you."
"Coming from the same state of TN [Tamil Nadu], I have grown up watching you from the close corners of Chepauk to playing against you and alongside you. Every moment has been a privilege. The learnings, both on and off the field are something I will carry with me forever. Wishing you success and happiness in whatever comes next."
What Harsha Bhogle (a commentator) has pointed out is the fact that by allowing Ashwin to retire, the BCCI selection committee has sent a loud and clear message to others in a similar position as him.
"By letting Ashwin retire, and he would be playing if he was picked, the selectors have set the bar for everyone else. Interesting times ahead," Harsha wrote on X.
A report in Cricbuzz also suggests that the 2024-25 season could see a 2008-like episode, prompting a number of veteran Indian stars to retire one after the other. Even in the press conference after the match, sitting alongside skipper Rohit Sharma, Ashwin said that though he has a bit of punch left in him, he prefers to use that in club cricket. In the process, Ashwin dropped a big hint about how things had changed for him on the international stage.
Ashwin recently reacted towards his father’s recent comments where the latter alleged that his son took the shock retirement decision because of humiliating treatment.
"My dad isn’t media trained, dey father enna da ithelaam. I never thought you would follow this rich tradition of "dad statements." Request you all to forgive him and leave him alone," the off-spinner posted on X.
Earlier today (19 December), Ashwin’s father had said in an interview, "The sudden change – retirement – gave us really kind of a shock. At the same time, we were expecting it because humiliation was going on. How long he can tolerate all those things? Probably, he would have decided on his own."
"I too came to know last minute, actually. What was going on in his mind I don’t know. He just announced. I too accepted it with full pleasure. I did not have any feelings at all for that. But the way he gave his retirement, I was very happy, another part not happy because he should have continued," he said.
Former Indian spinner, Harbhajan Singh, was also surprised by the announcement. He said, “Well obviously, it was a bit of surprising news for me that suddenly Ravichandran Ashwin retires not only from Test cricket but from across the formats. I think a big news. Of course, A big news, of course a top bowler. A legend who has done well for India. And taken many wickets for India. Won a lot of games for India. I got to wish him all the luck for his new chapter, Whatever he will do, he will do his best. So wish him all the luck."
Over his illustrious career, he has broken many records. Ravi Ashwin finishes his career with 765 scalps across all formats - second-highest for India, only behind Anil Kumble (953). His tally of 537 wickets for India in Test cricket is also second only to Anil Kumble (619).
Back in 2019, Ashwin breached the 350 Test wickets mark in his 66th Test match for India and is the joint-quickest to get to that mark alongside Sri Lankan, Muttiah Muralidaran. The Indian off-spinner also holds the record for being the quickest to bag 250 and 300 Test wickets - having done so off 45 and 54 outings, respectively.
Ashwin remains the only player in Test history to have claimed more than five Test hundreds (6) to go along with 500 wickets to his name. He is only behind Englishman, Sir Ian Botham (5), in the tally of nabbing a Test century and five-for in the same Test - having done so four times.
Ashwin has bagged a five-for in a Test innings 37 times - second only to Muttiah Muralidaran, who has 67 to his name.
The off-spinner has also nabbed 10 wickets in a Test match on eight instances during his career; he's behind Muralidaran (22); Aussie, Shane Warne (10) ; Kiwi, Sir Richard Hadlee and Sri Lankan, Rangana Herath (9) and equal to compatriot, Anil Kumble.
The spin all-rounder has been adjudged Player of the Series 11 times during his Test career - joint-best alongside Muttiah Muralidaran.
I get the reasoning behind the retirement. He found himself playing less and less international cricket. I would probably come to the same decision if I was in the exact position. Either way, he will always be remembered as a legend of the game to many, not only Indian fans. I'm sure he will succeed in the domestic circuit; IPL and other leagues he may participate in.