India’s off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin on Wednesday (December 18, 2024) surprised the cricketing world by announcing his retirement with immediate effect in the middle of the Test series against Australia.
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Over his journey as an off-spinner, Ashwin transformed himself into a dependable option with the bat. In his Test career, Ashwin has 3,503 runs in 151 innings with a strike rate of 54.53.
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Ashwin kept redefining himself throughout his career by adapting to the changing pace of the game across all formats.
Here are some of the career-defining moments during his span in the international team for the country.
Photo:
DEEPAK KR
Maiden series, maiden ton: Ashwin announced his unique ability with the bat as he scored his first century against West Indies in 2011 while batting at number eight in the line-up.
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AP
Ashwin’s unbeaten 42 spectacle helps India against Bangladesh (2022): In the second innings, Ashwin joined Iyer when India was 74/7 and helped the side steal a crucial win in the run-up of the World Test Championship.
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AFP
Ashwin’s match-winning spell against New Zealand in 2016: With Virat Kohli’s double-hundred in the bank, Ashwin took charge and picked 8 wickets in the first innings followed by seven wickets in the second innings.
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VIVEK BENDRE
Fastest to reach 300 wickets in Test: Ashwin reached the mark in 54 matches during the 2017 Test game against Sri Lanka.
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Getty Images
A resolute Ashwin rescues Sydney Test against the Aussies (2021): A resolute Ravichandran Ashwin and a hamstrung Hanuma Vihari battled pain and a hostile Australian bowling attack while displaying the largely extinct art of Test-saving batsmanship to snatch a remarkable draw for India. Ashwin scored 39* runs off 128 balls
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Getty Images
Hanuma Vihari and Ravichandran Ashwin leave the field as they celebrate securing a draw during day five of the Third Test match in the series against Australia on January 11, 2021 in Sydney, Australia.
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The Hindu
Ashwin’s master-class century puts India in command against England (2021): Ashwin played a gutsy innings of 106 runs off 148 balls, securing his fifth Test hundred and taking his side to a series-levelling victory against England in 2021.
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R.Ragu
Ashwin building up a crucial partnership as he nears his century against Bangladesh.
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AFP
Drama in the death over: A calm Ashwin lets the ball pass for a wide as India draws the nail-biting match against Pakistan in the 2022 T20 World Cup. He then swings the bat and hits Nawaz, scoring the winning run.
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PTI
Ashwin’s all-round performance against Bangladesh (2024): Playing at home turf, Ashwin scripted one of the most impactful performances under pressure by adding 113 runs and saving the Test match by bagging six wickets in the second innings, taking India 1-0 in the series.
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Thamodharan B
Author avatar: Beyond cricket, Ashwin also made his debut as an author along with cricket writer Siddharth Monga with his book named “I Have the Streets: A Kutty Cricket Story”.
Published – December 18, 2024 02:20 pm IST
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