Dear R Ashwin,
As the dust settles on the Gabba where the third Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy ended in a draw, the cricketing world is still processing your announcement on December 18, 2024, to retire from international cricket. This was not just a farewell; it was a moment that marked the end of an era in Indian cricket.
R Ashwin, your career has been a testament to the art of spin bowling. From your debut in 2011, you’ve not only been a spinner but a strategic mastermind, whose presence on the field was always felt, whether you were spinning the ball or plotting a dismissal from behind the stumps.
Your journey in Test cricket is nothing short of legendary. With 106 matches under your belt, you’ve bowled 27,246 deliveries, taking 537 wickets at an average of 24.00. Your best figures of 7/59 and 13/140 in a match are not just numbers but stories of days when you single-handedly turned matches in India’s favor. Your 37 five-wicket hauls in Tests are a testament to your consistency and your ability to dominate with the ball. R Ashwin, your name will forever be etched in the annals of cricket for these feats.
The Border-Gavaskar Trophy in 2021 was a series where you shone brighter than the sun. Named MVP for that series, your performances were pivotal in securing a historic victory for India in Australia. Your understanding of the game, your variations, and your ability to bowl long, relentless spells were crucial in that series. Every turn of the ball from your hand seemed to tell a story, a story where you were the protagonist.
Then there was the Champions Trophy, a moment that will be remembered by every Indian cricket fan, where R Ashwin, you weren’t just a bowler; you were the saviour. In that nail-biting final over, you defended a modest total, showcasing not just your skill but your nerves of steel. That moment was not just about winning a trophy; it was about etching your name in the hearts of millions. Your contribution to that victory is a chapter in Indian cricket lore that will be told and retold with pride.
In ODIs, though the format did not always see you at your best, your record of 156 wickets in 116 matches with an economy rate of 4.93 speaks volumes of your adaptability and skill. Your best figures of 4/25 are a reminder of the days when you could turn the tide in the shorter format too.
R Ashwin, your retirement from international cricket mid-series in Brisbane, where the match ended in a draw, was as unexpected as it was emotional. It’s a decision that reflects your thoughtfulness, perhaps signaling a desire to explore other avenues of life or cricket at a less demanding level. You’ve mentioned wanting to showcase the “punch” left in you in club-level cricket, and while we will miss seeing you in the Indian blues, your passion for the game is something we admire.
Your legacy, R Ashwin, is not just in the wickets or the records but in how you’ve changed the perception of spin bowling. You’ve shown that spinners can be game-changers, that they can dictate terms, and that their brains are as important as their wrists. Your turn will be remembered always, not just for the physical spin you imparted on the ball but for the turn you gave to the careers of many batsmen and the fortunes of Indian cricket.
As you step away from the international arena, remember that your contributions have left an indelible mark on cricket. You’ve been a teacher, a thinker, and a warrior on the field. Your retirement is not an end but a new beginning, perhaps in coaching, commentary, or in any field where your cricketing brain can continue to enlighten and entertain.
Thank you, R Ashwin, for every delivery, every wicket, and every moment of magic you’ve given us. Here’s hoping your next chapter is as fulfilling as the one you’ve just concluded.
With respect and admiration,
(A Fan of Cricket)
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