Indian all-rounder Ravichandran Ashwin has announced his retirement from international cricket, bringing an end to a remarkable career spanning over a decade. Widely regarded as one of the greatest players in cricket history, Ashwin made the announcement during a press conference in Brisbane on Wednesday, where he was joined by India’s captain, Rohit Sharma.

Ashwin leaves a lasting legacy in cricket, with an extraordinary record of 765 wickets across all formats. Reflecting on his journey, he stated, “This will be my last year as an Indian cricketer in all formats at the international level." While acknowledging his enduring passion for the game, Ashwin added, “I feel there’s a little bit of punch left in me as a cricketer, but I’d like to express that and showcase that in club-level cricket.”

He also shared heartfelt memories from his career, expressing gratitude for his teammates and the camaraderie they shared. “I’ve had a lot of fun. I’ve made countless memories with Rohit and my teammates, even though we’ve lost some to retirements in recent years. "We’re the last of the original group, you could say," Ashwin remarked. "This marks the end of my journey at the international level."

Ashwin’s final series was the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy, with the Adelaide Test serving as his last international match. He expressed his thanks to the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and his teammates for their unwavering support throughout his career.

Ashwin's Record-Breaking Career

Ravichandran Ashwin began his international career in 2010, debuting in both ODIs and T20Is in the same month. In 2011, he played his first Test against the West Indies, quickly establishing himself as a cornerstone of Indian cricket. Over his 13-year career, Ashwin established himself as India’s second-highest wicket-taker in Test cricket, claiming 537 wickets in 106 matches with an impressive average of 24. His 37 five-wicket hauls solidified his reputation as one of the finest bowlers in the game.

Ashwin was also a reliable batsman, contributing 3,503 runs in Test cricket with six centuries and 14 fifties. His all-round excellence places him among an elite group of only 11 players in Test history to have scored over 3,000 runs and taken more than 300 wickets.

Ashwin’s retirement marks the conclusion of a legendary career, leaving behind a legacy that will inspire generations to come.