Ravichandran Ashwin Comes Clean On Retirement Life And Existence After Cricket

Ravichandran Ashwin's sudden retirement declaration during the Border Gavaskar Trophy in December 2024 shocked cricket enthusiasts worldwide. The off spin great made the revelation in Brisbane immediately after the third Test against Australia had resulted in a draw. Seated alongside captain Rohit Sharma on the post-match press conference, Ashwin announced that he was retiring from international cricket. The news was unexpected because Ashwin remained one of the sharper bowlers around the ball and remained one of India's most consistent match winners in the longest format of the game. At the time when he bid farewell to Tests, Ashwin had claimed 537 wickets in 106 Tests. This left him as the second leading wicket taker for India in the format behind Anil Kumble's 619 wickets.

Ashwin subsequently came out in an emotional conversation with Rahul Dravid on what prompted the decision. He confessed that the discomfort of staying on the sidelines during games even when he was in the team finally got to him. Travelling with the side but sitting for longer periods on the benches wasn't easy for a man who had been at the center of India's bowling for over a decade. He admitted that age also contributed since he felt his priorities were gradually shifting. He had given everything to cricket for all those years but he felt a greater need to be with his family. He told them he needed to stay home more and watch his kids grow up instead of being on the road all the time.

As for him, he had always set his mind to retire in his mid thirties. Hanging up his boots at age 34 or 35 was something he already envisioned long before the actual retirement notice. Ashwin explained it was not about losing the hunger to give but rather about thinking about what was important in life now. He outlined how cricket tours were grueling and the notion of being away from home for months began to bother him more than it had before. It had nothing to do with passion but with preferring family time to the continuous traveling and extended absences that international cricket entailed.

The career of Ashwin is one of consistency and influence. From 2014 to 2019 he led the bowling of India and became the icon of their dominance in Test cricket. He flourished particularly in home settings where his guile and variations were next to impossible for touring batsmen to negotiate. He was not just a world class bowler but also one who could make a contribution with the bat. Year after year he came up with match winning knocks that saved India from sticky situations and established himself as a vital all rounder.

Though Ashwin will no longer be playing international cricket for India he has opted to remain active in domestic cricket and continue to play in the Indian Premier League. This will help him maintain his connection with the game yet live a better-balanced life. The fans will continue to view his artistry in T20 leagues despite the legendary Test match spells being a relic of the past.

His contribution to white ball cricket is also notable. In ODIs he appeared for 116 times and took 156 wickets with a record of best bowling figures of 4 for 25. In addition to that, he gave 707 runs in 63 innings including a half century that proved his capability of scoring runs lower down the order. Ashwin's name is on India's leading wicket takers' list in which he occupies the thirteenth position. In T20 internationals he took 72 wickets in 65 matches with excellent best figures of 4 for 8. He scored valuable runs as well with a top score of 31 in the format. These statistics highlight how reliable he was for India across formats.

In all versions of the game Ashwin's figures remain unbeatable. With a total of 765 wickets in 287 matches he is India's second highest wicket taker ever after Anil Kumble who has 953. He has also been involved in some of the most iconic moments of Indian cricket history such as the 2011 ODI World Cup win and the 2013 Champions Trophy win. These alone contribute to more sparkle on his already sparkling career.

Though he has retired from international cricket the admiration and respect for Ashwin stand firm. His tale is more than wickets and statistics. It is about grit hard work and the never-ending push to get better. His variations confounded batsmen and his astute cricketing mind rendered him one of the best off spinners of his time. Outside of the field also he will be remembered for his blunt approach and openness in speaking about the difficulties that players have.

Though his decision timing may have surprised most, hearing him explain it is sure to make one understand that Ashwin merely opted for an option that balanced cricket and personal life. For a person who left all for Indian cricket for more than a decade such a decision seems a natural culmination. Fans might miss seeing him in the whites but they will still be celebrating the legacy he has built up. He will still be playing in the IPL where his presence will add experience and class to whichever team he plays for.

Ashwin's words concerning missing family time ring true for many players who are subjected to the same. Cricket is taxing and leaves players away from their families for months on end. His openness regarding his wish to be with his children reflects the vulnerable side of sports apart from the glitz and glamour. It serves as a reminder to everyone that players also have family lives and commitments that gain precedence with age.

As Ashwin enters the next chapter in his career, he takes with him an alumnus of memories. His broken records batting lineups his unapologetic style of bowling with the ball and his game-saving runs with the bat will be spoken of for years to come. From being an integral piece of India's ascension to becoming world number one in Tests to winning World Cups Ashwin has been there and done everything. His retirement might end one chapter but his legacy will go on to motivate the next generation of cricketers.