India’s Ravichandran Ashwin, the second highest wicket-taker in Test cricket and arguably one of the greatest spinners in cricket history has decided to call an end to his illustrious international career on Wednesday, December 18, 2024. 

He announced his retirement in a press conference after the Border-Gavaskar Trophy match against Australia at the Gabba, in Brisbane.

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“This will be my last day as an Indian cricketer in all formats at the international level,” Ashwin declared.

“I do feel there’s a bit of punch left in me as a cricketer, but I would like to express that and probably showcase that in club-level cricket, but this will be the last day [for India]” hinting that he will continue to play IPL and domestic competitions in Tamil Nadu.

“I’ve had a lot of fun. I must say I have created a lot of memories alongside several of my other team-mates, even though I have lost some of them [to retirements] over the last few years. We’re the last bunch of OGs, if we can say that, left out in the dressing room, and I will be marking this as my date of having played at this level,” he stated.

MORE: From Perth to Brisbane: Rohit Sharma explains how R Ashwin’s retirement unfolded

Speculations had begun to surface that one of the bigger players would be ‘closing the curtains’ to their international career on Day 5 of the Brisbane Test.

It was all but confirmed that it was the legendary Indian off spinner once visuals began to appear of his emotional hug and interaction with Virat Kohli in the dressing room.

🫂💙🇮🇳

Emotional moments from the Indian dressing room 🥹#AUSvINDOnStar #BorderGavaskarTrophy #Ashwin #ViratKohli pic.twitter.com/92a4NqNsyP

— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) December 18, 2024

MORE: R Ashwin announces retirement from Test cricket

How did the cricket world react to R Ashwin’s retirement?

Virat Kohli

Following Ashwin’s announcement to the press, Kohli was one of the first cricketers to send a farewell tribute to his teammate, with whom he had shared the Indian dressing room for almost a decade and a half.

I’ve played with you for 14 years and when you told me today you’re retiring, it made me a bit emotional and the flashbacks of all those years playing together came to me. I’ve enjoyed every bit of the journey with you ash, your skill and match winning contributions to Indian… pic.twitter.com/QGQ2Z7pAgc

— Virat Kohli (@imVkohli) December 18, 2024

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Dinesh Karthik

Ashwin’s Tamil Nadu teammate and former India cricketer, Dinesh Karthik called him the Greatest of All Time (GOAT) player from Tamil Nadu.

a GOAT retires

Well done on what’s been an outstanding career . Proud to have played with you and definitely the greatest ever to have played from TAMILNADU. @ashwinravi99

Much love and enjoy some leisurely time with family and friends ❤️#INDvAUS #ashwin#legend

— DK (@DineshKarthik) December 18, 2024

Anil Kumble

Arguably one of the best cricketing minds in the country alongside R Ashwin, congratulated and wished his fellow spinner a “brighter future of the field”.

.@ashwinravi99, your journey has been nothing short of extraordinary! With over 700 international wickets and a keen cricketing mind, you are one of the finest to have graced the field. Congratulations on a stellar career, and here’s to an even brighter future off the field! 👏🏽🇮🇳 pic.twitter.com/60lbNnyPi8

— Anil Kumble (@anilkumble1074) December 18, 2024

MORE: Anil Kumble vs R Ashwin: Breaking down India’s greatest spinners’ home and away record in Tests 

Will we see R Ashwin with Ian Bishop in the commentary box soon? 

Thank you Ravi Ashwin. Glad you came, and that you were a part of the international game for so long, with such excellence. You taught, you educated and you entertained🙏🏽.

— Ian Raphael Bishop (@irbishi) December 18, 2024

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Gautam Gambhir

The privilege of seeing you grow from a young bowler to a legend of modern cricket is something that I wouldn’t trade for the world! I know that generations of bowlers to come will say that I became a bowler coz of Ashwin! U will be missed brother! ❤️ @ashwinravi99 pic.twitter.com/fuATAjE8aw

— Gautam Gambhir (@GautamGambhir) December 18, 2024

Suresh Raina

Take a bow, Ashwin bro! 🏏 Your magic with the ball, sharp cricketing mind, and unmatched passion for Test cricket will forever be etched in our hearts. Thank you for giving us countless moments of joy and pride. Wishing you all the best for your next chapter! 🙌❤️ #Ashwin… pic.twitter.com/5jBuHusPn2

— Suresh Raina🇮🇳 (@ImRaina) December 18, 2024

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Harsha Bhogle

One of the greatest to have played our game. I have enjoyed our interactions @ashwinravi99 and I can only wish you the very best in life. What you leave behind puts you among the best and there is a page in the Hall of Fame for you. pic.twitter.com/Jjlg8tyq7k

— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) December 18, 2024

Yusuf Pathan

A legend of the game, @ashwinravi99 has been an inspiration with his skill, passion, and unmatched cricketing mind. Wishing him all the best for the next chapter. Thank you for the countless memories and contributions to cricket! 👏 pic.twitter.com/ZlRbIM6PHp

— Yusuf Pathan (@iamyusufpathan) December 18, 2024

Ajinkya Rahane

Congratulations on an incredible journey, @ashwinravi99! Standing at slip was never a dull moment with you bowling, every ball felt like a chance waiting to happen. All the best for your next chapter! pic.twitter.com/HhBUHVPu3v

— Ajinkya Rahane (@ajinkyarahane88) December 18, 2024

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Ravi Shastri

Hey Ash, congratulations on a magnificent career, old boy. You were an invaluable asset during my tenure as coach and enriched the game immensely with your skill and craft. God bless. @ashwinravi99 @BCCI @ICC #Ashwin #AUSvsIND pic.twitter.com/ZLelKjmEdu

— Ravi Shastri (@RaviShastriOfc) December 18, 2024

Indian cricket team gives R Ashwin a ‘Guard of Honour’

Everyone was there but Ravi Ashwin hugged only Rohit Sharma. The GOAT. 🇮🇳 pic.twitter.com/FsZRbH8PjR

— 𝐇𝐲𝐝𝐫𝐨𝐠𝐞𝐧 𝕏 (@ImHydro45) March 11, 2024

Australia off-spinner Nathan Lyon on ‘best spinner’ R Ashwin’s retirement

“Shocked! Ash is someone whom I look up to as a bowler, bowling off-breaks and he’s been incredible for our craft. He’s been able to do it all around the world,” the Australian gave his first reaction to the news.

“Bit of a shock. All I can say is thank you to Ravi for what he’s brought to the game of cricket. He’s been a fierce competitor, someone whom I’ve loved competing against. He’s been arguably the best spinner of our era,” Lyon told Star Sports.

From two of the finest off-spinners to another! 🫂❤#NathanLyon and @harbhajan_singh pay tribute as #Ashwin calls time on his illustrious career! 👏#AUSvINDOnStar 👉 4th Test, Day 1 | THU, 26th DEC, 4:30 AM | #ToughestRivalry #BorderGavaskarTrophy pic.twitter.com/ENZGPPOmkf

— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) December 18, 2024

MORE: Nathan Lyon hails Ashwin as one of the ‘biggest coaches’

‘Always been a thorn for our side’ – Mitchell Starc praises R Ashwin 

“Obviously, it’s big news. His numbers speak for themselves. He’s been an incredible bowler for India for a long time. He’s got over 500 wickets. He’s got a close working relationship with Nathan and mutual respect between teams for someone of his calibre,” the Aussie quick said.

“Congratulations on his career. I mean, he’s always been a bit of a thorn in the flesh for our side over in India and played a part in in series here in Australia. So yeah, it’s been a fantastic career and I’m sure it’ll be celebrated that way,” Starc told SEN Sports.

Sunil Gavaskar unhappy with timing of R Ashwin’s retirement during BGT Test series in Australia

“He could have said, listen after the end of the series, I won’t be available for selection for India. What it does is that, similarly when MS Dhoni retired at the end of the third Test in 2014-15 series, it leaves you one short,” Gavaskar told on the broadcast.

“The selection committee has picked so many players for a tour with a purpose. If there are any injuries, they can select from the reserve players to have in the team.

“Normally, you tend to look at the end of the series. That’s it. In the middle, it is not usual,” he added.

Ashwin’s entire career has been an embodiment of learning and constant evolution. Observant, ever seeking new skills, practiced them for days for the sake of perfection before delivering them for NT. And never shying away from talking about his art. A rarity. One of the greatest.

— Bishontherockz (@BishOnTheRockx) December 18, 2024