Chennai (Tamil Nadu) [India], December 19: After announcing his retirement from international cricket, Ravichandran Ashwin shared his thoughts on the decision, describing it as “a great sense of relief and satisfaction.” The celebrated off-spinner revealed his choice to retire immediately after the Brisbane Test ended in a draw on Wednesday.
On Thursday, Ashwin received a warm welcome upon returning to his residence in Chennai, a day after announcing his retirement. Reflecting on the emotional decision, the 38-year-old cricketer said, “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, however, confirmed he would continue playing for Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in the 2025 Indian Premier League (IPL), expressing his desire to play as long as possible. “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,” he added.
Earlier, Ashwin announced his decision alongside India’s captain Rohit Sharma at a post-match press conference. His retirement rumors gained momentum after an emotional moment with Virat Kohli, who hugged Ashwin after the match.
Ashwin’s career statistics are remarkable: he played 106 Tests, claiming 537 wickets, including 37 five-wicket hauls, and scored 3,503 runs. He ranks as the seventh-highest wicket-taker in Test cricket history and the second-highest for India, behind Anil Kumble (619). Ashwin also holds the second-most five-wicket hauls in Tests, after Muttiah Muralitharan (67).
Ashwin was pivotal in India’s rise to the top of Test cricket between 2014 and 2019. In limited-overs cricket, he played 181 matches, taking 228 wickets, with 156 wickets in 116 ODIs and 72 wickets in 65 T20Is. He was part of India’s 2011 World Cup-winning squad and the 2013 Champions Trophy team.
With 765 international wickets across all formats, Ashwin stands as India’s second-highest wicket-taker, behind Kumble’s 953. His retirement marks the conclusion of a stellar era in Indian cricket, leaving behind a legacy that will inspire future generations.