After the third Test of the 2024–25 Border–Gavaskar series, R Ashwin startled everyone by declaring his retirement from international cricket. Before being benched for the third Test match at The Gabba in Brisbane, he only participated in the second Test of the five-match tour.
Ashwin played 287 matches in all formats and took 765 wickets during his 14 years of international cricket service. With 537 wickets in Test cricket, he is India’s second-highest wicket-taker in the format, behind only Anil Kumble.
In a recent conversation with Rahul Dravid, the former captain and head coach of India, Ashwin stated that he has been considering retirement for a while. But after becoming tired of being left out of international tours, he finally made the choice. Rather than warming the bench, Ashwin thought it would be preferable to spend time with his family.
“I believe that was simply the moment and my current situation, correct? In the most recent episode of his YouTube series Kutti Stories, R Ashwin laughed when Dravid asked him, “I think I was pretty old, I must admit,” before disclosing the true reason for the call.
“But soon I became tired of travelling on tours and having to basically sit out a lot more. I don’t mean that I don’t want to help the team, but you’re asking whether I wouldn’t rather stay at home with the kids. The renowned off-spinner disclosed, “They are also growing up, and what am I actually doing?” He referred to it as a “moment of realisation.”
My retirement age was always set at 34 or 35. R Ashwin
According to R Ashwin, his goal has always been to retire between the ages of 34 and 35. He played till the age of 38. Ashwin, however, is still competing in the Indian Premier League (IPL).
“I always thought I would retire at 34-35,” the off-spinner for the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) said.
Ashwin took seven wickets at an average of 40.43 and an economy rate of 9.13 while playing nine games for the Men in Yellow in the 2025 Indian Premier League.
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