I’ve got no regrets, says Ashwin post retirement

Indian cricket legend Ravichandran Ashwin, who recently announced his retirement from international cricket following the Brisbane Test against Australia, shared heartfelt reflections on his career. Speaking on the Sky Sports Cricket podcast, Ashwin expressed gratitude for the game and emphasized the profound impact it had on his life, calling it his “calling.”

“I’ve got no regrets because I’ve had to do it the hard way, but it has left me with the idea that the game has been my calling. People find their calling at different stages of life, and I’m so glad this game found me—it has given my life meaning,” Ashwin said.

The former Indian off-spinner reflected on the challenges he faced throughout his career and how cricket shaped his perspective on life. “I’ve played Test cricket for so long; it’s even taught me how to construct and live my life. It’s the most beautiful thing that has happened to me,” he noted.

Ashwin highlighted the individuality of his journey in the cricketing world, saying, “I just gave it my all, despite knowing it’s not the popular or accepted method. My journey is completely mine.”

Known for his cerebral approach to the game, Ashwin emphasized the importance of personal exploration in mastering cricket. “The ability to articulate or teach another person about the game comes only if one has explored it themselves. The amount of exploration I’ve done to be successful has given me a wide variety of knowledge. I can confidently say this is a game I love and can talk about for the rest of my life,” he remarked.

Ashwin’s career stands as one of the most illustrious in cricket history. Over 12 years, he was a cornerstone of India’s dominance in home conditions and a key figure in many memorable victories.

In Test cricket, Ravichandran Ashwin played 106 matches, taking an impressive 537 wickets at an average of 24.00, with best bowling figures of 7/59. He achieved 37 five-wicket hauls and eight ten-wicket hauls, showcasing his dominance as a spinner. With the bat, he scored 3,503 runs at an average of 25.75, including six centuries and 14 fifties. Ashwin is the second-highest wicket-taker for India in Test cricket, trailing only Anil Kumble (619), and ranks seventh overall in Test history.

In limited-overs cricket, Ashwin took 156 wickets in 116 ODIs, with best figures of 4/25, while contributing 707 runs with the bat. In T20Is, he claimed 72 wickets in 65 matches, with best figures of 4/8, and added 184 runs to his tally. These numbers underscore his impact across all formats of the game.

With 765 wickets in 287 matches across all formats, Ashwin is India’s second-highest wicket-taker in international cricket, trailing only Anil Kumble (953).

Ashwin also contributed to India’s triumphs in the 2011 ICC Cricket World Cup and the 2013 ICC Champions Trophy, further cementing his legacy as one of India’s greatest cricketers.