Ravichandran Ashwin: 'I’m not finished yet, heading to CSK'
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Chennai, Dec 19 (NationPress) Following his announcement of retiring from international cricket, veteran Indian spin-bowling all-rounder Ravichandran Ashwin clarified that while he has concluded his international career, he is far from done as a cricketer. He expressed, "don’t be surprised if I try and aspire to play for as long as I can".
Just after the conclusion of the third Border-Gavaskar Trophy Test, which ended in a draw at the Gabba on Wednesday, Ashwin made his retirement announcement during a post-match press conference. This marked the end of his impressive 14-year journey representing India across all formats.
Next, Ashwin is gearing up to rejoin the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) for the upcoming IPL 2025 season, having been acquired for Rs 9.75 crore in the recent mega auction.
He returned to Chennai, even with two Tests remaining in the ongoing series against Australia.
"I am going to play for CSK and don't be surprised if I try and aspire to play for as long as 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 shared with reporters upon arriving home on Thursday.
Regarding his retirement, Ashwin shared that the decision was "instinctive" and filled him with a "sense of relief and satisfaction".
"It's emotional for many. It might take time to sink in. But for me, it’s a significant sense of relief and satisfaction... This thought had been on my mind for a while, but the decision came very instinctively. I felt it on day 4 and made the call on day 5," he elaborated.
Ashwin concludes his career with 537 wickets at an average of 24 in 106 Tests, becoming India’s second-highest wicket-taker after the legendary Anil Kumble. He also scored six Test centuries and 14 fifties with the bat. His final international appearance was in the day-night Test in Adelaide, where he recorded figures of 1-53.
The spin bowling all-rounder has also participated in 116 ODIs for India, claiming 156 wickets. He was part of the victorious teams in the 2011 ODI World Cup and 2013 Champions Trophy. Additionally, he played 65 T20I matches, securing 72 wickets.
At the age of 38, Ashwin was honored as the ICC Men's Cricketer of the Year and Men's Test Cricketer of the Year in 2016, and he was also named in the ICC Test Team of the Decade 2011-20.
