Fans and players of the Indian cricket team were left in shock as veteran all-rounder Ravichandran Ashwin announced his retirement. The veteran spinner decided to end his career immediately after India’s draw vs Australia at the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) 2024/25.
Some sets of fans believe Ashwin’s shock retirement was unplanned. Analysts also believe decisions of current head coach Gautam Gambhir may have contributed to his sudden retirement.
Let’s check out the reported roles coach Gambhir played to quicken Ashwin’s exit from international cricket. We’ll also look at some records achieved by Ashwin before calling quits on his long and successful international career.
Role Coach Gambhir Played to Hasten Ashwin’s Shock Retirement Decision
Reneging on assurances pre-Border Gavaskar Trophy
Reports suggest that Ashwin was not planning to play in the BGT 24/25 if he didn’t get a playing XI spot. This was after India suffered a Test whitewash (0 – 3) at home vs New Zealand. The embarrassing loss prompted Ashwin to seek guarantees from selectors for a starting place before travelling to Australia.
It appears that Ashwin got these guarantees, but Gambhir and the selectors changed their minds in Australia. Team India decided to go with Washington Sundar over Ashwin for the Perth Test. Ravindra Jadeja also got a playing XI spot ahead of Ashwin during the Brisbane Test, prompting the cricketer’s sudden retirement from internationals.
Gambhir choosing other cricketers over an in-form Ashwin
Ashwin is the record wicket-taker among modern-day Indian cricketers. The 537 Test wicket maestro was in top form for several months leading up to the BGT 24/25 (excluding the Test series loss vs New Zealand).
Assurances given to Ashwin were not fulfilled by Gambhir and the team selectors. Some reports also claim Gambhir’s desire to work with 2 spinners at the Sydney Test without including Ashwin. The combination of these reported decisions evidently forced the senior cricketer’s hand towards an unplanned retirement.
Has R Ashwin Retired from All Cricket Formats?
Ashwin will play no further part in international cricket; however, he is still very much active as a franchise player. The veteran all-rounder recently signed for Chennai Super Kings (CSK) at the IPL 2025 mega auction. He is set to reunite with former Team India wicketkeeper MS Dhoni and other talented players as CSK seek their sixth IPL crown.
Ashwin had this to say concerning his immediate future in franchise cricket:
“I am going to play for CSK and don’t be surprised if I try and aspire to play for as long as I can. I don’t think Ashwin the cricketer is done; I think Ashwin the Indian cricketer has probably called it time. That’s it,”
Ashwin’s comments brought relief to his fanbase as many were worried after his shock international retirement. The worry over his immediate future in IPL cricket and other competitive leagues is over – for now.
Ravichandran Ashwin Records in Internationals
| Rank | Format | Record | Stat |
| 1st | Test Matches | Most player-of-the-series awards | 11 |
| 1st | Test Matches | Fastest to 350 wickets | 66 matches |
| 1st | Combined Test, ODI, T20I | Fastest to 250 wickets | 45 matches |
| 2nd | Test Matches | Most five-wickets-in-an-innings in a career | 37 |
| 2nd | Combined Test, ODI, T20I | Fastest to 400 wickets | 77 matches |
| 2nd | Combined Test, ODI, T20I | Fastest to 450 wickets | 89 matches |
| 2nd | Combined Test, ODI, T20I | Fastest to 500 wickets | 98 matches |
| 4th | Test Matches | Most wickets taken bowled | 109 |
| 4th | Combined Test, ODI, T20I | Most five-wickets-in-an-innings in a career | 37 |
| 7th | Test Matches | Most wickets in career | 537 |
| 7th | Combined Test, ODI, T20I | Fastest to 100 wickets | 18 matches |
| 7th | Combined Test, ODI, T20I | Most player-of-the-series awards | 12 |
| 8th | Test Matches | Most runs conceded in career | 12,891 |
| 9th | Combined Test, ODI, T20I | Most wickets taken lbw | 151 |
| 9th | Combined Test, ODI, T20I | Fastest to 50 wickets | 9 matches |
| 10th | Combined Test, ODI, T20I | Most wickets taken caught by a fielder | 360 |
| 11th | Combined Test, ODI, T20I | Most wickets in career | 765 |
| 11th | Combined Test, ODI, T20I | Most wickets taken stumped | 37 |
| 12th | Combined Test, ODI, T20I | Most balls bowled in career | 35,001 |
| 14th | Combined Test, ODI, T20I | Most wickets taken bowled | 151 |
| 14th | Combined Test, ODI, T20I | Most runs conceded in career | 19,743 |
| 17th | Combined Test, ODI, T20I | Most wickets taken caught | 426 |
| 17th | ODI | Most wickets taken stumped | 18 |
| 17th | ODI | Most wickets taken caught and bowled | 20 |
| 29th | T20I | Most runs in an innings (by batting position) | 31 |
| 34th | T20I | Most wickets taken lbw | 9 |
| 45th | T20I | Most wickets taken stumped | 5 |
| 47th | T20I | Most runs conceded in career | 1,672 |
T
