Ravichandran Ashwin has announced his retirement from international cricket effective immediately, revealing his decision after the third Test in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy series in Brisbane. He is set to return to India on Thursday. At a press conference following the Brisbane Test, Ashwin stated, "This will be my last day as an Indian cricketer in all formats at the international level." He added, "I do feel there's a bit of punch left in me as a cricketer, but I would like to express that and probably showcase that in club-level cricket, but this will be the last day [for India]."
The announcement came as a surprise to many, particularly since Ashwin is India's second-highest wicket-taker in Tests, with 537 wickets in 106 matches, trailing only Anil Kumble. Despite his successful career, Ashwin indicated a desire to continue playing at the club level, emphasizing the memories he created alongside teammates like Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. "I have had a lot of fun and I must say I have created a lot of memories... I have a lot of people to thank... BCCI, my fellow teammates, all the coaches," he remarked during the post-match press conference. Rohit Sharma supported Ashwin's decision, stating, "He was very, very sure of his decision. We should stand by what he wants." The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) paid tribute to Ashwin, calling him "a name synonymous with mastery, wizardry, brilliance, and innovation.