R Ashiwn Retirement: Ravichandran Ashwin never intended to become an off-spinner. His true passion was batting, and he envisioned himself as a top-order batsman, a role he played for the Indian Under-17 team nearly twenty years ago. A serendipitous moment in a club match in Chennai, where he claimed seven wickets against a team of left-handed batsmen, sparked Ashwin’s fascination with finger spin. Since then, the world of cricket has never been the same for him. Post India’s victory in Chennai, Ashwin reflected on his impact on Indian cricket. Although Ashwin had an unusually quiet performance in the first innings, going wicketless, he redeemed himself in the second innings by claiming six wickets, leading India to a commanding 280-run victory.

The Cricketer Who He Admired And Mirrored

After realizing his true talent, His journey, much like his idol and role model Anil Kumble, has followed a similar path of determination and excellence. During his early cricketing days, the Bengaluru-born spinner initially aimed to become a fast bowler. However, after being called out for a suspect action at the junior level, he pivoted to leg-spin. This change proved transformative, as Anil Kumble went on to claim a record 619 Test wickets, the highest for an Indian bowler. Kumble’s remarkable achievements have inspired Ashwin throughout his career. Despite his pursuit of Kumble’s milestone, Ashwin holds immense respect for the legendary spinner.

Both Kumble and Ashwin share strikingly similar roots, shaped by comparable family values and a foundation in engineering, adding an intellectual edge to their cricketing journeys. Much like Kumble, Ashwin has continuously evolved throughout his career, never complacent with past achievements and consistently striving to expand his skill set with innovative techniques.

R Ashwin’s Test record

Since making his debut in 2011, R Ashwin has played 106 Test matches for India, single-handedly leading the team to victory in several matches. With an impressive 537 Test wickets to his name, Ashwin has achieved the milestone of taking five or more wickets in an innings 37 times – a feat that makes him the second cricketer in the world to do so in Test history. In addition to his bowling brilliance, Ashwin has contributed significantly with the bat, scoring 3503 runs, including 6 centuries and 14 half-centuries.

R Ashwin’s ODI Career

In ODI cricket, Ashwin has showcased his versatility with both bat and ball. He has scored 707 runs in 116 matches and taken 156 wickets, cementing his place as a valuable all-rounder for India.

R Ashwin’s T20 Career

Ashwin has represented India in 65 T20 matches, taking 72 wickets. His consistency and skill made him a key part of India’s squad during major tournaments, including the victorious campaigns in the 2011 ODI World Cup and the 2013 Champions Trophy.