Follow UsFormer Indian offspinner Ravichandran Ashwin revealed that being frequently left out of the playing XI played a major role in his decision to retire from international cricket in December 2024. The 38-year-old announced his retirement after India’s third Test against Australia in Brisbane, as the team management increasingly preferred Washington Sundar over him.
Speaking to Rahul Dravid on the latest episode of Kutti Stories with Ash, Ashwin said: “I think it was just the time, and where I stood in my life, right? I think I was pretty old, I must admit. But going on tours, and you know, having to just sit out a lot more, eventually got to me.
“I mean, not in terms of not wanting to contribute to the team, but you're thinking if I would rather be at home, spending time with children. They are also growing up, and what am I actually doing? In my head, I always decided that I would retire at 34-35.”*
Ashwin’s international career was illustrious. He featured in 106 Tests, 116 ODIs, and 65 T20Is, claiming 765 wickets across all formats. In Tests alone, he picked up 537 wickets at an average of 24 and a strike rate of 50.7, including 37 five-wicket hauls and eight 10-wicket hauls. Ashwin finished as India's second-highest wicket-taker in Test cricket.
Though Ashwin has retired from international cricket, he remains very active in T20 leagues across India. In IPL 2025, he represented Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and also featured in the Tamil Nadu Premier League (TNPL).