The ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy between India and Australia was interrupted when Ravichandran Ashwin unexpectedly confirmed his retirement from international cricket. Ashwin, who missed out on the third test after featuring in the previous one, announced the decision to hang up his boots after the conclusion of the match.

Here’s everything you need to know regarding the surprising decision of the legendary Indian spinner.

Ashwin announces the news of retirement

While fans awaited an action-packed fifth day in the third test of the 2024-25 BGT, a thunderous stretch of rain was all they got instead. The rough weather conditions forced the umpires to prematurely end the day of play and declare the match a draw. The result became even worse for the Indian fans after the evergreen Ravichandran Ashwin took the post-match conference as an opportunity to announce his retirement from international cricket.

While talking to reporters at the Gabba ground, the 38-year-old athlete stated, “I have had a lot of fun. I must say I have created a lot of memories alongside Rohit and several of my other teammates, even though I have lost some of them over the last few years. We are the last bunch of OGs. Obviously, there are a lot of people to thank, but I would be failing in my duties if I didn’t thank the BCCI and my fellow teammates.” He then expressed gratitude to the Australian players for always being “fierce competitors” to him, as per The Hindu.

Ravichandran Ashwin has embraced retirement 14 years after he made his international debut with the Indian Cricket Team. In his prolonged career, the bowling all-rounder managed to win two Asia Cups, one ICC Champions Trophy, and the elusive Cricket World Cup. Moreover, his 537 wickets in 106 test matches make him the second-highest wicket-taker from India and seventh-highest globally.

Despite his surprising exit from the international circuit, fans can still see Ashwin’s bowling skills in next year’s Indian Premier League, where he will play for the Chennai Super Kings.