Was it on the cards especially after a dismal home series against NZ
(in which he owned the blame !) and an ordinary Adelaide test ?? yet hearing about it makes me
feel very sad !! – Ravichandran Ashwin has announced retirement – in style !!
bowing out on his own from all International Cricket at 38 years of age !!
It was over 32.5 Ashwin in his debut match hit the timber – Darren Bravo the victim – the 1st Test against West Indies at Kotla, Delhi on Nov 6, 2011 - India won by 5 wickets - not many would have imagined of the heights the Man of the match would accomplish !! In that test debutant Ravichandran Ashwin became only the third Indian player (after Pravin Amre and RP Singh) to win the Man of the Match award on debut. (Before 1990, this award wasn't declared for all matches.)
Ravi Ashwin has retired – not just a Cricketer laying down, but a Cricket Scientist, artist, magician, suave spokeperson, a valiant fighter, dream team-mate, man who can be relied in any stressful situation - Cricket won’t be the same without your spin lab experiments!
As the 3rd test between India and Australia was halted due to heavy rain in Brisbane, Virat Kohli giving emotional hug to India's second highest wicket-taker in Test - R Ashwin. The visuals start trending on social media instantly with many speculating Ashwin set to announce his retirement. Sadly, it is no longer rumour mill alone – as the announcement – tersely worded one came that it is the end of illustrious career for Ashwin who is the second highest wicket taker for India in Test cricket. 537 Test wickets in 106 matches amd most Test fifers by an Indian (37) speaks for itself as the game hasn't seen many players with a cricketing brain like himself. Coming to India's rescue on many occassions, Ashwin has often come handy with the bat as well. He has amassed 3503 Test runs in 106 matches as well which shows how valuable player he has proven to be for his side over the years.
Only recently in Sept 2024, at Chepauk - India started the day needing six wickets to win, but were denied at the start. The first hour, although probing was wicketless – then came local lad Ravichandran Ashwin scripting a familiar expected, much wanted story. Bangladesh were bowled out for 234 ! – beaten by 280 runs – Ash had figures of 21-0-88-6. R Ashwin completed his fourth double of a hundred and a five-for in the same Test - and his second in successive Tests at Chepauk - to take India to a 1-0 series lead against Bangladesh on the fourth morning in Chennai. Ash rightly was the Man of the Match. In course of his 6 wicket haul, he went past Courtney Walsh becoming the 8th top in all time list of wicket takers. That elite list is Muthiah Muralidaran 800, Shane Warne 708; Jimmy Anderson 704; Anil Kumble 619; Stuart Broad 604; Glenn McGrath 563, Nathan Lyon 530 & Ravichandran Ashwin 522.
We were wishing Ravichandran Ashwin to reach 700 wickets sooner and also make more than 5000 test runs by that time. All that has come to a grinding halt !!
Statistically, he made Test debut against WI at Delhi in Nov 2011; and played his last Test at Adelaide against Australia in Dec 2024. ODI debut against Sri Lanka at Harare in June 2010 & last against Aussies at Chennai in Oct 2023; T20 debut against Zimbabwe in June 2010 and last match against England at Adelaide in Nov 2022.
Sad. Old order changeth yielding place to new ! and there are times when people retire with lot left still. Well played Ash !!!!!!
Regards – S Sampathkumar
18.12.2024
very NICE.
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