In a move that shocked the cricketing world, Ravichandran Ashwinone of the most famous Indian cricketers, announced his retirement from international cricket December 18. The timing of the decision, during the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia, took everyone by surprise.

Ravichandran Ashwin's shock retirement: A legend bids farewell

Ashwin's illustrious career spanned 106 Test matches, during which he took 537 wickets at an impressive average of 24.01 and contributed significantly with the bat, scoring 3503 runs, including six centuries and 14 fifties. His dual contribution as a bowler and batsman made him a pillar of the Indian Test and his sudden departure left fans and cricket pundits grappling with mixed emotions.

The first signs of Ashwin's retirement came during the fifth day of the Gabba Test, where he was seen hugging Virat Kohli in an emotional moment in the locker room. Speculation grew stronger when he joined Rohit Sharma in the post-match press conference, only to officially announce his retirement before leaving the venue. Although the timing caught many off guard, Ashwin's decision seems to have been well thought out. He will return to India on Thursday, ending a career that has left an indelible mark on the sport.

Record breaking career for India ended

Ashwin retires as India's second greatest player in Test cricket, behind only the legendary Anil Kumble. Kumble's record of 619 wickets in 132 matches seemed within Ashwin's reach, but the veteran spinner opted to fall short of just 82 wickets. Ashwin's remarkable record on home soil is a testament to his dominance in spin-friendly conditions, with 383 of his 537 wickets on Indian soil at a phenomenal average of 21.44. However, with India's next home Tests scheduled for August 2025, the long wait for meaningful opportunities on a familiar ground may have influenced his decision to retire.

Ashwin leaves behind a legacy that goes far beyond numbers. His tactical acumen, ability to outwit the batsmen and his batting and bowling contributions made him one of the most complete players of his era. Although his sudden retirement left fans yearning for more, Ashwin's achievements will continue to inspire young cricketers who aspire to follow in his footsteps.

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3 key factors behind Ashwin's sudden decision to retire

1. Limited possibilities for testing abroad

Ashwin's participation in overseas Test matches has been sporadic in recent years, with the team management often favoring heavy attacks in overseas conditions. In the ongoing BGT, Ashwin played only the second Test in Adelaide and was not considered for the first or third matches. This pattern of reduced involvement in overseas Tests could have frustrated the spinner, prompting him to call time on his career. Most of the time over the last few years, Ravindra Jadeja has emerged as the team's favorite player not only on the basis of bowling but also in terms of batting and fielding, both areas where Jadeja is potentially miles ahead of Ashwin.

2. Long gap before significant inclusion

India's upcoming Test schedule leaves little room for Ashwin's strengths to shine. If the team qualified for World Test Championship (VTC) Final.will be scheduled to take place at England next year in June, followed by another series in England. Ashwin's next big role in domestic conditions would not come until October 2025, during the series against West Indies. Faced with almost a year before he can contribute significantly, Ashwin may have felt this was an opportune time to retire and explore other options.

3. Focus on personal and professional priorities

At 38, Ashwin may have weighed his options and decided to prioritize his personal life and other professional pursuits. Having been a consistent player for over a decade, the demands of international cricket coupled with long tours and limited downtime could have contributed to his decision to retire from the game.

With India's evolving Test team composition, Ashwin may have foreseen diminished opportunities even in the upcoming series. The rise of younger spinners in form Washington Sundarwho got the nod ahead of Ashwin in the first game, and the team's increasing reliance on fast bowlers in overseas conditions may have cast doubt on his role going forward, leading to his decision to retire while he was still at the top of his game.

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