New Delhi
Great Indian batsman Sachin Tendulkar said that the legacy of retired off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin will continue to inspire everyone. He also praised this Chennai cricketer and said how he adopted the game wholeheartedly. Ashwin, 38, announced his retirement from international cricket with immediate effect after the third Test against Australia was drawn at the Gabba in Brisbane. He was not selected for this match.
Tendulkar wrote in his post on ‘X’, “Ashwin, I have always admired you for how you embraced the game with all your heart and mind. From playing the carrom ball brilliantly to scoring crucial runs, you always found a way to win.” “It has been amazing to watch you grow from a promising talent to one of India’s finest match-winners. Your journey shows that true greatness lies in never being afraid to experiment and evolve. Your legacy will inspire everyone. Best wishes to you for the second innings.”
Ashwin ended his 14-year international career with 537 wickets in 106 Test matches at an average of 24 and was India’s second-highest wicket-taker behind legendary leg-spinner Anil Kumble, with 37 five-wicket hauls in Test matches. This includes an incredible record of eight wickets, the second highest in the history of the game, as well as eight ten-wicket hauls.
BCCI President Roger Binny also praised Ashwin’s brilliant international career. Binny said, “Ashwin’s talent has been the cornerstone of the success of Indian cricket over the years. From being a prodigy to becoming one of the greatest off-spinners in the history of cricket, his achievements are a matter of great pride.” “He redefined spin bowling and always tried to be ahead. Ashwin is an ideal role model for young cricketers. I thank him for his invaluable contribution to Indian cricket.”
Ashwin also scored six Test centuries and 14 half-centuries with the bat. His last international match was a day-night Test against Australia in Adelaide, where he took 1–53 from his 18 overs and scored 29 runs with the bat, as India lost by 10 wickets. Ashwin retired with 115 Test wickets against Australia and 114 against England. Notably, he took 115 wickets in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, the second most in the history of the competition.
BCCI Vice President Rajeev Shukla said, “Ashwin’s journey is a testament to the heights of dedication and passion. His ability to think beyond the game has been a tremendous asset for Indian cricket. In Ashwin, we have seen a bowler who not only took wickets but also demolished batting strategies. His approach to the game, coupled with his extraordinary skills, has made him one of the most respected cricketers of his generation. I congratulate him on his wonderful career.”
Ashwin also played 116 ODI matches for India, taking 156 wickets, and was a member of the 2011 ODI World Cup and 2013 Champions Trophy winning teams. Ashwin also played 65 T20 matches and took 72 wickets. Ashwin was one of the 11 all-rounders to achieve the double of 3000 runs and 300 wickets in Tests. He also won a record 11 player-of-the-series awards, equal to Sri Lanka’s Muttiah Muralitharan. “Ashwin has been a game-changer in every sense. Be it his magical spells on the field or his insightful discussions off the field, he brought something special to Indian cricket.”
BCCI acting secretary Devjit Saikia said, “His ability to reinvent himself, introduce new variations to bowling and consistently perform at the highest level makes him a true legend. “His extraordinary career is an example for future generations of cricketers, who will undoubtedly look up to him as an ideal role model.”
