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Ashwin called time on his international career after the Gabba Test of the ongoing 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
Ravichandran Ashwin retires as one of India’s greatest cricketers. (BCCI Photo)
Ravichandran Ashwin’s sudden retirement from Test cricket has made him the first player to achieve a unique record. He’s the first-ever player in Test cricket’s 147-year history with 100 or more Test caps to have never played Pakistan.
The legendary spinner hung up his cricket shoes on December 18 after the third Test of the 2024/25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy at the Gabba, signing off as one of only 14 Indian players to make a century of career Tests appearances.
Like most of his newer teammates, the 38-year-old never faced Pakistan in the format. India and Pakistan have not squared off in Test cricket since December 2007. The two teams have had a frosty relationship in and outside the world of cricket due to political tensions. Ashwin didn’t make his Test debut until 2011 and played his first fixture in November of that year against the West Indies in Delhi.
Ravichandran Ashwin will likely soon be joined by his compatriots Virat Kohli and Cheteshwar Pujara. The Indian batting duo have also never faced Pakistan in their Test career. Pujara debuted in 2010 against Australia and has since competed in 103 Tests. Kohli debuted a year later in June against West Indies at Kingston. The veteran batter has played 121 Tests in an Indian shirt in 13 years.
After announcing his retirement, Ravichandran Ashwin returned to Chennai on Thursday, last week. After coming back, the Indian spinner talked about how he was overwhelmed by the reception he got on his return.
“I never thought so many people would come here. I just wanted a quiet entry and was looking forward to relaxing at home. But you have made my day,” Ashwin told the crowd gathered outside his home, as per ESPNcricinfo.
He then reminded everyone how he still wasn’t done with the sport. “I think that part for me is still burning bright. I am going to play for CSK (Chennai Super Kings) and don’t be surprised if I aspire to play for as long as I can. I don’t think Ashwin the cricketer is done, I think only Ashwin the Indian cricketer called time. That’s it,” he concluded.
As for the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy, the five-match series currently stands leveled at 1-1. Both India and Australia will now be itching to take the lead in the upcoming Boxing Day Test. The highly-anticipated fixture will begin on December 26 at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.
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