Ravi Ashwin: The OG bows out in a huff, leaving legions of fans guessing

A retirement decision right in the middle of a demanding Test series in Australia? And that too when India has just managed to salvage a draw at The Gabba, albeit with the generous support of the rains?

Speculation on whether Ravi Ashwin — India’s second highest wicket-taker in Tests after Anil Kumble — could have chosen a more opportune moment to call ‘time’ on all forms of international cricket is inevitable.

It was a terse announcement from the 38-year-old, who has made himself a throne in the pantheons of Indian cricket as one of its finest matchwinners over the last 13 years, as he accompanied captain Rohit Sharma briefly to the post-match press conference — but refused to take any questions.

“It’s my last day as an international cricketer for India across all formats. I feel there is still some punch left in me which I can now showcase at the club level,” Ashwin said, obviously referring to his homecoming for the Chennai Super Kings in the IPL 2025; he may even extend himself for his favourite Tamil Nadu Premier League (TNPL).

“This is truly an emotional moment. I have lost a couple of my friends in the last couple of the years — we were the last bunch of the OG I can say,” Ashwin said as Sharma nodded along.

The parting shot was very much like Ashwin — articulate, almost bordering on a bit of arrogance if you like... But one can possibly allow him that after such a storied career. The retirement comes into play with immediate effect. As skipper Sharma confirmed later, Ashwin will be flying back home tomorrow, 19 December.

The gossip in cricketing circles is all about whether at some point during the series, Ashwin had begun to feel that he had outlived his utility in the team.

The Indian team management (read: Gautam Gambhir) appeared to apply rather a fuzzy logic to choosing three different spinners for the first three Tests, preferring youngster Washington Sundar as the first-choice off-spinner in the Perth Test, ostensibly for his batting prowess. It was, however, Ashwin and the now-out-of-favour Hanuma Vihari, whose defiant partnership kept India in the game during the famous Gabba win in the 2020–21 series.

The owner of 537 Test wickets was brought back for the pink ball Test, where Ashwin couldn’t make much of an impact — and a dismal India lost the match by 10 wickets. Little did we know that it would turn out to be the maverick’s last Test match (it’s the only format he has been playing for last three years).

Rohit Sharma said in Brisbane: “Heard about R. Ashwin’s retirement when I came to Perth. He understands what the team is thinking and what combinations the team is thinking of. I convinced him to stay for the pink ball Test.”

There is perhaps enough of a clue in Sharma’s explanation of what might have made up Ashwin’s mind — though it would have been interesting to see what impact the wily customer would have had in the somewhat more helpful conditions of the upcoming Tests in Melbourne and Sydney.

A TV grab of Ashwin and Virat Kohli in an animated chat at the dressing room during last day’s play had also given rise to rumours of the former’s impending retirement, as it ended with the former skipper gave the bowler a bear hug.

It was an emotional moment that will stay with fans who have been following Indian cricket for the last 15 years — but then Ashwin’s cryptic comment also comes to mind.

In an interview a couple of years back, he had stirred up a hornet’s nest when he said that in the Indian dressing room, they were all ‘colleagues’ and not ‘friends’.

Short-format record

Apart from his heroics in the longer format, Ashwin was a member of the 2011 ODI World Cup and 2013 Champions Trophy-winning Indian team, Ashwin also played 116 ODIs for India, claiming 156 wickets at an economy of 4.93 and average 33.20. He was also capped 65 times in T20Is and claimed 72 wickets in the shortest format.

Ashwin was awarded the prestigious Arjuna Award in 2015, and following a successful 2015–16 season, he was adjudged the ICC Men’s Cricketer of the Year as well as the Men’s Test Cricketer of the Year for 2016.

He was also named in the ICC Test Team of the Decade 2011–20.