Ravi Ashwin, the most brilliant off-spinner within this game at any time, announced his retirement Wednesday. The announcement has surprised fans and experts alike because Ashwin chose to retire right in the middle of a Test series between Australia and India. At 38 years old, his announcement evoked mixed reactions from everyone. Many praised his stint, while others had questions regarding the timing.
Former India captain Sunil Gavaskar had high appreciations for Ashwin’s career but indicated that retirement during a crucial tournament might impact team plans. Indian cricket is accustomed to mid-series retirements; in 2014, MS Dhoni went away from Test cricket in a startling manner during a tour of Australia.
What Made Ravi Ashwin Retire
Much has been made of Ashwin’s retirement. Old? Tired? Lacking form? Or run out of patience with the selectors? He played just one Test on this tour; Sundar and Jadeja got to play in the other games. Perhaps he believes that he isn’t really a first-choice spinner of the Indian team anymore.
Even if India reached the World Test Championship (WTC) final, Ashwin might not have been in the playing XI. It could have swung the decision.
Incredible Records by Ravi Ashwin
Ashwin’s sudden retirement aside, he bequeaths a glittering legacy of his own. An amazing 537 wickets were taken over 106 Tests. He is the only Indian other than Anil Kumble, Harbhajan Singh, and Jack Kalis to record six hundreds in Test cricket. He is one of the finest all-rounders the world has ever seen.
His art of bowling has revolutionized spin bowling. His Doosra and Carrom ball should have inspired many people. He also has records like best strike rate in the world for a bowler with 500 plus Test wickets.
Ravi Ashwin has been in the sport since time immemorial. Being a cricketing identity not just in the purview of his country India but also recognized overseas, Ashwin began planting his cricketing roots as an up-and-coming white-ball cricketer with little fame or recognition as an IPL rookie for Chennai Super Kings (CSK).
Moreover, in 2010, he made his India debut, and although years later, he was part of the 2011 World Cup-winning team, he still does not appear to have changed much.
By now, when Ashwin made a debut in the Test format in 2011 against West Indies, people believed that he might not be match fit to play Test matches. But their predictions went wrong when he won nine wickets and was declared the Man of the Match.
Over a number of years, Ashwin has continued to change his bowling. He harnessed all energies and put in extra time to outsmart his top opponents Steve Smith and Marnus Labuschagne; and bolstered his effort with a pick up of 3,503 runs and an addition of six centuries in his statistics.
Ravi Ashwin: A Bold and Independent Cricketer
Not someone who would accept conventions easily, Ashwin did find himself at the centre of controversy when he ran out England’s Jos Buttler at the non-striker’s end during the 2019 IPL season. This revived the debate around ‘spirit of the game’ and led to the removal of the word ‘Mankading’ from cricket vocabulary.
Earlier this year, Ashwin had been brilliant against England. He was at the heart of a huge IPL deal with CSK. After making money and finding value into his late stages, retiring suddenly is left with missing spaces of knowledge.
A Legacy Hard to Replace.
Ravi Ashwin’s retirement in cricket is the end of an era indeed. Those could be termed elements of his mastery, dedication, and cricketing mind that transformed him into a living legend. Fans will surely miss watching him play but will take with them the memories of his impact on cricket.
