Legendary spinner R. Ashwin, one of cricket’s most revered spin bowlers, shocked the cricketing community on Wednesday with the announcement of his retirement, leaving fans and analysts alike to grapple with the suddenness of his choice.
Legendary spinner R. Ashwin
At 38, known for his creative bowling tactics and sharp cricketing intellect, Ashwin’s exit during an ongoing Test series against Australia has ignited both admiration and controversy.
Messages of respect and gratitude surged in from around the world, with teammates, cricketing stalwarts, and fans recognizing his immense contributions to the game.
However, the timing of his retirement drew some criticism
Former Indian captain Sunil Gavaskar commended Ashwin’s illustrious career but raised concerns about his decision to retire in the midst of a crucial overseas series. With two matches remaining, such a departure could complicate team selection, he noted.
While mid-series retirements are not uncommon in Indian cricket—such as MS Dhoni’s unexpected exit from Test cricket in 2014 during a series in Australia—Ashwin’s decision has sparked speculation regarding its motivations: Was it age, fatigue, poor form, or dissatisfaction with team selection that prompted his departure?
India’s leading spinner, Ashwin
As India’s leading spinner, Ashwin had been relegated on this tour, with Washington Sundar taking the field in the first Test and Ravindra Jadeja participating in the third, despite Ashwin’s appearance in the second Test. Sensing he was no longer the preferred spinner, he may have foreseen limited opportunities ahead, even with India’s potential advancement to the World Test Championship (WTC) final at Lord’s in June.
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Regardless of the reasons, Ashwin leaves an exceptional legacy behind. With 537 Test wickets over 106 Tests and six centuries to his credit, he stands among the greatest all-rounders in the sport’s history.
His skillful delivery techniques, including his expertise with the “doosra” and the “carrom ball,” have redefined off-spin bowling, inspiring countless cricketers around the globe.
Ashwin’s Career
Ashwin’s career statistics confirm his place among the legends of the game. He ranks as the third-highest wicket-taking spinner, trailing only Muttiah Muralitharan (800 wickets) and compatriot Anil Kumble (619 wickets), and stands seventh on the all-time wicket-takers list.
His 37 five-wicket hauls place him just behind Muralitharan, who achieved 67.Notably, Ashwin is one of only five bowlers since World War II to average more than five wickets per Test, joining the ranks of Muralitharan, Dennis Lillee, Richard Hadlee, and Yasir Shah.
Most impressively, among bowlers with 500 or more Test wickets, Ashwin boasts the best strike rate, taking just 50.73 balls per wicket.
These impressive numbers come from a player once considered a white-ball specialist, who rose to fame with the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in the Indian Premier League (IPL) starting in 2009.
Ashwin’s success in the IPL
Ashwin’s success in the IPL was immediate, leading to his international debut for India in ODIs and T20s in 2010. As part of the 2011 World Cup-winning squad under MS Dhoni, he served as an understudy to Harbhajan Singh. While his white-ball successes enhanced his reputation, Ashwin’s true brilliance was revealed in Test cricket.
When he made his Test debut against the West Indies in November 2011, skeptics suggested his selection was due to the influence of then-chief of the Indian cricket board, N Srinivasan, who also owned the Chennai Super Kings franchise in the IPL.
He silenced those critics with a remarkable nine-wicket haul, earning the Man of the Match award and solidifying his position on the team within a year.
Spin bowling has long been pride for India
Spin bowling has long been a source of pride for India, represented by legends such as Bishan Singh Bedi, Erapalli Prasanna, Bhagwat Chandrasekhar, and Srinivas Venkataraghavan, whose artistry secured historic series victories in the 1970s.
Anil Kumble, with 619 wickets, demonstrated that India’s spin legacy flourished in the modern era, followed by Ashwin, Harbhajan Singh, and Ravindra Jadeja. Together, Ashwin and Jadeja have collectively taken 856 wickets and scored over 6,500 runs, reinforcing India’s dominance across formats.
He learned from Muttiah Muralitharan at CSK
Ashwin’s relentless pursuit of excellence was evident early on, particularly as he learned from Muttiah Muralitharan at CSK.
He consistently evolved by integrating various techniques, such as the carrom ball and occasional leg spin, to deceive batters. With an engineering background, he showcased remarkable acuity in adjusting angles and lengths to confound batsmen, preparing meticulously for key opponents.
During the pandemic in 2020, Ashwin honed his skills in Chennai, strategizing to counter Steve Smith and Marnus Labuschagne in Australia. His dedication yielded success, as he effectively curtailed the scoring of the prolific duo and made crucial batting contributions that helped India secure a memorable victory.
Originally starting as an opening batsman, Ashwin’s batting remained understated but impactful. With 3,503 runs, including six centuries, he proved himself as a genuine all-rounder, frequently rising to the occasion during pivotal moments.
