Ravichandran Ashwin announced his retirement from international cricket December 18, 2024 marked the end of a highly successful career spanning more than a decade. Ashwin’s contributions, known for his mastery in both Test and limited-over formats Indiarise as the top cricketing country.
Ravichandran Ashwin’s glorious international career for India
His consistency and versatility earned him 765 wickets in international cricket, including 537 in Tests. Ashwin’s ability in spin-friendly conditions and his ability to deliver decisive performances against top teams has made him one of India’s best match-winners. He holds the distinction of being the fastest Indian bowler to reach milestones from 50 Test wickets to 500 Test wickets.
Ashwin’s career is highlighted by numerous match-defining spells, notably 7/59. New Zealand and 6/55 vs England In tests. His contributions with the bat complemented his bowling prowess with crucial lower-order runs in Tests and ODIs. Ashwin’s retirement marks the end of an illustrious career, leaving a lasting legacy as one of India’s greatest all-format cricketers.
Ashwin: Master of the five-bladed strike
Ashwin’s prowess with the ball is best highlighted by his ability to consistently claim five-wicket hauls across all formats of the game. In Test cricket, he reached the milestone 37 times in just 106 matches, including eight ten-wicket hauls. These performances have come against almost every major cricket nation, with notable displays such as 7/59 against New Zealand and 6/55 against England. His dominance in Test matches is further highlighted by his consistent success at home and in favorable spin-friendly conditions.
In ODIs, Ashwin’s five-wicket haul was limited, but against his spell of 4/25 United Arab Emirates (UAE) during ODI Cricket World Cup 2015 was a significant highlight of his effectiveness in white-ball cricket. In T20Is, Ashwin has shown extraordinary efficiency with best figures of 4/8. Sri Lanka It is a testament to his adaptability and ability in the shortest format in 2016. Across formats, his contributions have been versatile and evenly distributed against top cricketing nations, demonstrating his impact.
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Ashwin’s five-rib hit in Test cricket
- New Zealand: 6 five-wicket hauls, including a career-best 7/59.
- England: 8 five-wicket hauls including match-defining performances such as 6/55.
- Australia: 7 five-wicket hauls, showing dominance in high-stakes series.
- West India: 6 five-rib innings with best figures of 7/71 in spin-friendly conditions.
- South Africa: 5 five-wicket hauls showing his ability against quality opposition.
- Sri Lanka: 3 five-rib shots including match-turning spells like 6/46.
- Bangladesh: 2 five-wicket hauls reflecting his dominance in subcontinent conditions.
- Afghanistan: 1 five-wicket haul on Test debut.
Ashwin’s outstanding performances in ODIs
- Best numbers: 4/25 against UAE in WC-2015.
- A regular keeper against teams with economic charms like Sri Lanka and England.
- Limited opportunities for five-door carriage due to role and format requirements.
Ashwin’His best performances in T20Is
- Sri Lanka: 4/8’s top numbers in 2016 show his ability to swing batters with variations.
- Australia: Memorable spells including 4/11 in critical encounters.
- Zimbabwe and South Africa: Consistent contributions with multiple three wickets.
- Namibia and the Netherlands: Important matchup winning spells dominate.
Ashwin’s batting impact: Centuries in international cricket
Although primarily known for his bowling prowess, Ashwin’s batting has contributed significantly to India’s success in Tests, ODIs and T20Is. His ability to provide useful runs in key situations has played a vital role in matches across formats. Below, we break down his batting performance in these formats and highlight his contributions against various top cricket nations.
Test cricket: batting contributions
Ashwin is particularly known for his hard-hitting lower order in Test matches, where he played 106 matches and scored 3,503 runs at an average of 25.75.
- Centuries: 6th century
- Fifties: 14 fifty
- Zeros: 9 cases of dismissal for a duck
- His best Test score came against 124 West Indiademonstrates his ability to play match-deciding shots.
- against New ZealandAshwin proved his effectiveness in spin-friendly conditions, scoring 294 runs at 17.29.
- against Englandhe scored 1,086 runs at 32.90, including a century and six fifties, often playing crucial knocks in difficult situations.
- against AustraliaAshwin scored 572 runs at 17.33, including a three-hander, showing tenacity in tough, seaming conditions.
- against West Indiahe played some of his best knocks against spin-friendly opposition, scoring 608 runs at 50.66, including a century. He scored four hundreds in the Caribbean side alone.
- against South AfricaAshwin scored 321 runs at 17.83 and contributed low-order runs in difficult external conditions.
- against Sri LankaAshwin has shown utility in subcontinental conditions, scoring 333 runs at 20.81.
ODI cricket: batting contribution
In ODIs, Ashwin’s role has mainly been as a lower order player, amassing 707 runs at an average of 16.44 in 116 matches.
- Centuries: 0
- Fifties: 1
- Zeros: 6 cases of dismissal for a duck
- His best ODI score came against 65 New ZealandHe plays an important match for India with a saving throw
- against Sri LankaAshwin scored 132 runs at 16.50, often contributing valuable runs in the middle overs.
- against Englandhe scored 128 runs at 14.22, scoring lower-order runs at critical moments.
- against West IndiaAshwin played a key role in controlling the innings during the World Cup matches, scoring 135 runs at 33.75.
T20I Cricket: Batting contribution
In T20Is, Ashwin’s role has been more than just providing finishing power, scoring 184 runs at an average of 26.28 in 65 matches.
- Centuries: 0
- Fifties: 0
- Zeros: 0 cases of dismissals for a duck
- His best T20I score came against 31 Sri Lankademonstrates ability to close shots when required.
- against AustraliaAshwin delivered some crucial runs in key encounters, scoring 33 runs at 106.45.
- against South Africahe contributed in difficult conditions scoring 20 runs at 6.66.
- against West IndiaAshwin scored 34 runs at 34.00, providing vital low-order runs.
Contributions by country:
1. Vs West Indies:
- Tests: 608 runs at 50.66 with a century.
- ODIs: 135 runs at 33.75.
- T20 Is: 34 runs at 34.00.
- Strong Test and ODI performances, especially in spin-friendly conditions.
2. v. New Zealand:
- Tests: 335 runs at 41.87 with a century.
- ODIs: 85 runs at 14.16.
- T20 Is: 10 runs 10.00.
- A significant century in Tests but limited ODI and T20I contributions.
3. Against England:
- Tests: 1086 runs at 32.90 with a century.
- ODIs: 128 runs at 14.22.
- T20 Is: 22 runs at 11.00.
- Major contributions in Tests and limited impact in a limited number of formats.
4. v. South Africa:
- Tests: 321 runs at 17.83.
- ODIs: 81 runs at 20.25.
- T20 Is: 20 runs at 6.66.
- He has struggled against South Africa in all formats.
5. Sri Lanka Vs:
- Tests: 333 runs at 20.81.
- ODIs: 132 runs at 16.50.
- T20 Is: 46 runs in 31*.
- Consistent utility between formats in subcontinent settings.
6. v. Australia:
- Tests: 572 runs at 17.33.
- ODIs: 85 runs at 14.16.
- T20 Is: 33 runs at 106.45.
- A limited number of effects, but participated in the Tests.
7. v. Pakistan:
- ODIs: 45 runs at 11.25.
- T20 Is: 1 run at 100.00.
- He played a minor role in a limited number of matches.
