Ace Indian spinner Ravi Ashwin announces his retirement from International Cricket following the conclusion of the Gabba Test

Elite Indian off-spinner Ravi Ashwin has officially announced his retirement from International Cricket on Wednesday, 18th of December. The 38-year-old is the second highest wicket-taker of Team India in the longest format of the game and International Cricket as well. 

Ashwin made his Test-debut for the Men in Blue on the 6th of November, 2011 and since his debut, the veteran spinner has gone on to take part in 106 five-day Cricket matches and has dismissed opposition batters 537 times. Only the legendary Anil Kumble (619 wickets) has picked up more wickets for Team India in the longest format of the game. 

The 38-year-old also participated in 41 WTC contests for the Men in Blue and has 195 scalps next to his name, the highest by any player for now. 

The off-spinner's retirement comes at a time when the entire world of Cricket were focussed on the Gabba Test-Match between India and Australia and post the conclusion of that match, Ashwin announced his decision to hang his Cricketing boots. 

He was spotted getting involved in a lengthy chat with former Indian skipper and elite batsman Virat Kohli in the dressing-room during the rain-break after the Tea-Session on the 5th day of the Gabba Test-Match, following which they shared an emotional hug with each other. 

"This is my last day as a player of Team India in International Cricket. I still feel that I have a lot to offer as a cricketer and I will be doing that in Club-Level Cricket. So this is my final day as a player in International Cricket. I have had a tremendous amount of fun since my debut in 2011 and I have created a lot of fun and enjoyable memories along side our captain Rohit (Sharma), Virat Kohli and several other team-mates, "Ashwin said in the post match presentation of the Gabba Test-Match. 

Let us remind you that the veteran off-spinner has announced his retirement from just International Cricket and he will continue to take part in T20 leagues like the IPL and the Tamil Nadu Premier League (TNPL). 

Five-time IPL winners Chennai Super Kings (CSK) secured the services of Ashwin in the 2025 IPL Mega-Auction and he will be making his much awaited comeback in the yellow jersey of the franchise. It's highly likely that he will be calling time on his Cricket career alongside the legendary MS Dhoni.

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