Ashwin last played for India in the second Test of the 2024-25 Border Gavaskar Trophy in Adelaide, taking 1-53 in 18 overs. Earlier this year, he crossed the milestone of 100 Test matches during the fifth and final Test against England in Dharamsala, becoming the 14th Indian to cross the mark
With over 500 wickets to his name, Ashwin has enjoyed a glittering career in the longest format. Only six players overall, and one Indian – Anil Kumble – have taken more wickets than his 537.
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Ashwin's batting down the order was also invaluable for India. No other player in the 500-Test wicket club has more than one century, while he has six to his name with a batting average of over 25 – cementing his status as one of his country, and the game's, greatest all-rounders.
He also played 116 ODIs and 65 T20Is for India, and was part of the teams that won the 2011 World Cup and the 2013 Champions Trophy. His last T20I was in November 2022, and his most recent ODI in October 2023.
Ashwin: There's a bit of punch left in me
The off-spinner announced his decision at the post-match press conference at the Gabba, appearing alongside captain Rohit Sharma. Ashwin said, "This will be my last day as an Indian cricketer in all formats at the international level. I do feel there's a bit of punch left in me as a cricketer, but I would like to expose and showcase that in club level cricket. This will be the last day.
"I've had a lot of fun. I must say I've created a lot of memories alongside Rohit and several of my other teammates. Even though I've lost some of them over the last few years, we are the last bunch of OGs, if we can say that, left out in the dressing room. I would be marking this as my date of having played at this level.
"Obviously there are a lot of people to thank, but I would be failing in my duties if I didn't thank the BCCI and fellow teammates – several of them. I want to name a few of them; all the coaches who have been part of the journey, most importantly Rohit [Sharma], Virat [Kohli], Ajinkya [Rahane], [Cheteshwar] Pujara, who have taken those splendid catches around the bat to give me the number of wickets I've managed to get over the years. Also a big thank you to the Australian cricket team, who have been very fierce competitors. I've enjoyed my time playing against them.
"I think it's already getting long...I wouldn't be taking any questions, but it's truly a very emotional moment. I don't think I'm in a position where I would be answering the questions in the right way. Please pardon me for that.
"Once again, that's my time. Thanks for being the journalists that you've been, writing good things and of course writing nasty things on occasions. That's a relationship I think we would maintain forever and I hope the cricketers to come in the future will also get the same amount of love that you've given them. Once again, thank you all and see you all soon. As a cricketer, I've just stopped it and I might go on to be involved with the game because this is a game that's given me everything. Thank you."
Ashwin will still be involved in the Indian Premier League, having been picked up by Chennai Super Kings, his first and hometown franchise, for the next season.
Ravichandran Ashwin announces his retirement from all forms of international cricket.
— 7Cricket (@7Cricket) December 18, 2024
Congratulations on a brilliant career 👏 pic.twitter.com/UHWAFmMwC0
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