India-West News Desk
CHENNAI – Ravichandran Ashwin, one of cricket’s most celebrated spinners, stunned the cricketing world on December 18 with an unexpected announcement of his retirement, leaving fans and experts grappling with the abruptness of his decision.
The 38-year-old’s departure, amid a Test series against Australia, has sparked both admiration and debate.
Known for his innovative bowling and sharp cricketing mind, Ashwin’s retirement has prompted widespread tributes, with teammates, cricket legends, and fans hailing his contributions to the sport.
However, the timing of his decision raised eyebrows, especially with two matches still remaining in the series.
The BBC pointed out mid-series retirements aren’t unprecedented in Indian cricket.
In 2014, MS Dhoni retired from Test cricket mid-series in Australia. Still, it said, Ashwin’s decision has sparked speculation – was it age, fatigue, form, or frustration with team selection that prompted his exit?
Ashwin had been sidelined during the ongoing Australia tour, with Washington Sundar playing the first Test and Ravindra Jadeja taking the third, despite Ashwin featuring in the second.
This could have signaled to him that he was no longer the first-choice spinner.
Regardless of the circumstances, Ashwin leaves behind an extraordinary legacy, the BBC said in its report, praising him and documenting his achievements.
With 537 Test wickets in 106 Tests and six centuries, he ranks among cricket’s all-time greats.
His mastery of the ‘doosra’ and ‘carrom ball’ has redefined off-spin bowling, inspiring generations of cricketers worldwide.
Ashwin’s career statistics place him as the fourth-highest wicket-taking spinner.
He is also seventh on the list of all-time wicket-takers.
As an engineer, he continuously evolved, adding variations to his bowling and using his analytical skills to outfox batsmen, the BBC said.
As an all-rounder, Ashwin scored 3,503 runs, including six centuries, often stepping up in critical moments.
A fiercely independent thinker, he made waves by running out England’s Jos Buttler in the 2019 IPL, sparking global debate and challenging conventional cricketing practices.
Ashwin’s retirement, coming just months after heading to Australia as India’s premier spinner, has left unanswered questions and a void that will be hard to fill, as the cricketing world adjusts to the end of a remarkable era.
(Courtesy: https://indiawest.com/)