Ravichandran Ashwin

The Indian Premier League seamlessly blends cricket and Bollywood, capturing the hearts of fans in India and beyond. This platform has been instrumental in providing emerging talents with opportunities to shine, paving their way to international careers. One such beneficiary is Ravichandran Ashwin, affectionately known as ‘Ash’ by his teammates. After an illustrious 14-year-long career, Ravichandran Ashwin announced his retirement from international cricket on Dec 18.

Early Success and IPL Breakthrough

Ashwin had a standout season in both the Indian Premier League (IPL) and Champions T20 League while playing for Chennai. His knack for taking wickets during Powerplays and slog overs, combined with his economical bowling, earned him his well-deserved national call-up. Ashwin made his ODI debut against Sri Lanka in June 2010, and he also debuted in T20Is in the same month.

National Team and World Cup Inclusion

Ashwin’s impressive performance in a home series against New Zealand further solidified his reputation as a top spinner, becoming the leading wicket-taker in that series. Despite Harbhajan Singh being India’s primary spinner, Ashwin secured his place in India’s 2011 World Cup squad.

Test Cricket: Memorable Debut and Rapid Rise

November 2011 marked Ashwin’s Test debut against the West Indies, where he made a significant impact by taking nine wickets. His performance only improved, as seen in the third Test where he achieved a five-wicket haul and scored his maiden Test century. Ashwin’s stellar form earned him the Player of the Series accolade.

Becoming a central figure in India’s squad across formats, Ashwin quickly reached new milestones. By the end of 2012, he was the fastest Indian bowler to claim 50 Test wickets—a record later surpassed by Jasprit Bumrah. He then achieved his 100th Test wicket the following year, establishing himself as a crucial asset in major tournaments like the ICC Champions Trophy in 2013.

The Pinnacle of Success and Challenges

Ashwin solidified his status as a world-class spinner during the 2015 Freedom Trophy against South Africa and again against New Zealand in 2016, taking 27 wickets in just three Tests. His efforts were recognized as he received the ICC Cricketer of the Year and ICC Test Cricketer of the Year awards in 2016. Despite challenges in overseas conditions, Ashwin remains an integral part of India’s Test squad.

R Ashwin retirement

Ravichandran Ashwin announced a shocking retirement on December 18 following IND vs AUS Gabba Test. He followed the footsteps of his mentor MS Dhoni who called it quits midway through Border Gavaskar Trophy. Ashwin retired with 537 Test wickets, 156 ODI wickets, 72 T20I wickets. He also scored 3503 runs in Tests with six centuries.

IPL Journeys and Future Prospects

After Chennai’s two-year suspension from the IPL, Ashwin continued to excel, playing for Pune and Punjab. Delhi Capitals acquired him for the 2020 and 2021 seasons, and in the 2022 mega auction, he was signed by Rajasthan for INR 5 crores. Despite mixed performances in white-ball cricket, Ashwin’s skills keep him in contention for national selection, consistently delivering impressive spells that are hard for selectors to overlook.

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