Indian cricket legend Ravichandran Ashwin officially announced his retirement from international cricket in December 2024 during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024–25 in Australia. With 537 Test wickets, 156 ODI wickets, and 72 T20I wickets, Ashwin concluded his illustrious career as India’s second-highest wicket-taker in Test cricket, only behind Anil Kumble.
Despite his decorated career, Ashwin’s retirement came with strong words against Indian cricket’s bias towards batters over bowlers. He pointed out how bowlers often get dropped after a poor performance, while batters continue to get opportunities despite failing multiple times.
“The world is unjust. The bowlers do not become cocooned, but the batters do. Since he didn’t take enough wickets in Australia, Akash Deep will not be participating in any more Test matches. However, there will never be another batter who hasn’t scored enough runs and isn’t playing for India,” Ashwin remarked at the AWS AI Conclave 2025 in Bengaluru.
Key Highlights:
Ashwin on BCCI: India Lags Behind Australia in Bowlers’ Development
Ashwin directly compared India’s cricket structure to Australia’s, emphasizing how the latter prioritizes bowlers and builds a team around them. He stated that despite having world-class talent, Indian cricket still fails to nurture bowlers properly, leading to a decline in Test match dominance.
“Despite having everything, I still believe that Australia is a powerful team because they understand their heritage and realize that bowlers are the key players who win Test matches and tournaments. Bowlers will start consuming data much better than they do the day we get there,” he added.
This statement reflects Ashwin’s long-standing frustration with the Indian cricket management’s batting-centric approach, which, according to him, prevents bowlers from getting the recognition and support they deserve.
Ashwin’s CSK Return: A Homecoming in IPL 2025
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While Ashwin’s international career may have ended, his IPL journey continues. In a significant move, he has rejoined Chennai Super Kings (CSK) for the IPL 2025 season, reuniting with MS Dhoni and the franchise where he began his IPL career in 2008.
CSK fans are thrilled to see Ashwin back, given his crucial role in their early IPL triumphs. His return adds immense experience to the squad, as the off-spinner will likely play a mentor role while contributing with his spin mastery.
With the 2025 IPL season approaching, Ashwin’s presence in the CSK squad brings excitement and nostalgia for the fans, as he looks forward to yet another successful stint in the yellow jersey.
Ashwin’s Legacy: One of India’s Greatest Spinners
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Ravichandran Ashwin leaves behind a remarkable legacy as one of India’s greatest spinners. His contributions to Indian cricket across all formats remain unmatched, and his sharp cricketing mind will continue to influence the game.
While he may have spoken critically about Indian cricket’s approach to bowlers, his statements raise valid concerns about the need for a more balanced approach in team selection and player development. His views could potentially spark a larger debate on how India nurtures its bowling talent in the future.
With his return to CSK for IPL 2025, Ashwin is set for a new chapter in his cricketing journey, proving that his impact on the game is far from over.
Ravichandran Ashwin’s Retirement Marks the End of an Era:
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Ravichandran Ashwin’s retirement marks the end of an era in Indian cricket, but his words serve as a wake-up call for how the country treats its bowlers. As he gears up for IPL 2025 with CSK, fans will witness the legendary spinner in action once again.
With 537 Test wickets and a wealth of experience, Ashwin’s influence will continue to be felt, both on and off the field. His criticisms may push Indian cricket towards a greater appreciation of bowlers, ensuring that future generations receive the support they deserve.
Do you agree with Ashwin’s comments on Indian cricket? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
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