After a successful career spanning over a decade, Indian spin-bowling maestro Ravichandran Ashwin surprised the cricket world by announcing his retirement from international cricket during the Border Gavaskar Trophy 2024. Accompanied by India captain Rohit Sharma, Ashwin made the shocking announcement after the third Test between India and Australia ended in a draw. The 38-year-old, who holds the record for being the fastest bowler to get 300 Test wickets, will now focus on showcasing his skills at the club-level.
Ravichandran Ashwin Retires from International Cricket
Ravichandran Ashwin, one of India's most celebrated spin-bowling maestros, has retired from international cricket, bringing an end to an illustrious career that spanned over a decade.
Career Highlights
Ashwin made his international debut in 2010 and quickly established himself as a world-class spinner. He became the fastest bowler in history to capture 300 Test wickets, a testament to his exceptional skill and consistency.
Throughout his career, Ashwin represented India in 86 Tests, 111 ODIs, and 56 T20Is, amassing 442, 151, and 65 wickets respectively. He played a crucial role in India's triumphs, including the 2011 World Cup, the 2013 Champions Trophy, and the 2020-21 Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
Retirement Announcement
Ashwin's retirement was announced during the third Test of the 2024 Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia, after a 1-1 series draw. Accompanied by India captain Rohit Sharma, Ashwin expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to represent his country and stated his intention to focus on showcasing his skills at the club level.
Reactions and Impact
Ashwin's retirement has sent shockwaves through the cricketing world. Many experts and fans have hailed him as one of the greatest spinners of all time. His absence from the Indian national team will leave a significant void, particularly in Test cricket.
Top 5 FAQs
1. Why did Ravichandran Ashwin retire from international cricket? Ashwin has not publicly stated a specific reason for his retirement, but it is speculated that he may wish to focus on his club career and spend more time with his family.
2. How many international wickets did Ashwin take? Ashwin took 758 international wickets across all formats: 442 in Tests, 151 in ODIs, and 65 in T20Is.
3. What is Ashwin's most memorable performance? He is widely regarded as India's greatest spinner of all time, but his 7/59 in the 2016 Chennai Test against England is considered his most famous performance.
4. What will Ashwin's legacy be? Ashwin will be remembered as one of the most skilled, successful, and innovative spinners of his generation. He is likely to be inducted into the International Cricket Council (ICC) Hall of Fame in the future.
5. What are Ashwin's plans for the future? Ashwin plans to continue playing at the club level, potentially for Indian Premier League (IPL) franchises and other domestic teams. He has also expressed interest in pursuing a career in cricket commentary and analysis.
With just one game left in this phase, four Italian teams - Inter, Atalanta, Milan, and Juventus - are close to securing direct access to the Champions League Round of 16. The new format of the competition has made it more exciting with all the results going into a single large table. However, Juventus faces an uphill battle and needs to win their final match at home, while all remaining matches will be played simultaneously on Wednesday January 29 at 20.00 GMT.
Ronald Araujo is set to stay at Barcelona for the long haul as he reportedly signs a contract extension with the club until 2031. The Uruguayan defender has been a key player for the team since his promotion to the senior side in 2020 and has attracted interest from top European clubs. After returning from a hamstring injury, Araujo's performance in the Supercopa de Espana final against Real Madrid solidified his importance to the team. Barcelona manager Hansi Flick has also praised him as one of the best defenders in the world.
The International Cricket Council (ICC) has released a high-energy campaign film for the upcoming ICC Men's Champions Trophy 2025, featuring top stars from participating countries. The film highlights the intense nature of the tournament where every match counts and players put everything on the line for a chance to claim the unique White Jackets. With the tournament featuring the world's top-eight cricketing nations, and Afghanistan making its debut, the stage is set for an electrifying competition. Players like India's Hardik Pandya, England's Phil Salt, and Pakistan's Shaheen Shah Afridi share their excitement and determination to win the coveted trophy.
In the series opener, left-handed batter Abhishek Sharma stole the show with a stunning display of power hitting. His unbeaten 79 runs off just 34 balls included eight sixes and five fours, helping India chase down a modest total of 132 with ease. Sharma's incredible hitting was praised by coach Ravi Shastri and his partnership with Sanju Samson proved to be crucial in India's victory. England will have a tough task ahead if they want to level the series in the next match.
In the sports world, Indian all-rounder Axar Patel shines with his performance against England in the first T20I. He picks up two wickets and concedes just seven runs in three overs, including the dismissal of struggling Gus Atkinson. England, in the meanwhile, struggles to put up a good batting performance, setting a target of 132 for India. Follow Sportskeeda for live updates and news on the ongoing T20I series.
In the first T20 match between India and England, the Indian team put on an impressive performance, chasing down a target of 133 runs with ease to take a 1-0 lead in the series. Despite initial struggles against Jofra Archer, Sanju Samson and Abhishek Sharma put on strong batting displays to help secure the win. Spinner Varun Chakravarthy was the standout player of the match, picking up three crucial wickets and being named Player of the Match. With five more matches to go, the series is sure to deliver more exciting moments.
Despite calls for England to boycott their match against Afghanistan in the Champions Trophy, England's white-ball captain Jos Buttler believes that it is not the right way to move forward. The Taliban regime's assault on women's rights in Afghanistan has sparked controversy, leading to UK politicians urging for the boycott. However, Buttler believes that political situations should not affect sports and hopes for a successful tournament.
After a thrilling match, Barcelona secured their spot in the last 16 of the UEFA Champions League with a resounding victory. The team's post-match reactions and interviews are captured in this update, providing fans with all the latest insights and analysis. Read on for a full match report and highlights of this exciting game. Make sure to follow Al Jazeera English for more sports updates and news.
In a highly anticipated match, India's Men in Blue defeated England by seven wickets in the first T20I at the iconic Eden Gardens. With the absence of veteran seamer Mohammed Shami, expectations were high on the three spinners chosen by the team management - Varun Chakravarthy, Axar Patel, and Ravi Bishnoi, and they did not disappoint. After limiting England to a respectable 132 runs, India batted aggressively in the second innings with Sanju Samson's fiery knock of 26 runs and Abhishek Sharma's blistering half-century of 79 runs. This marked India's seventh consecutive T20I win at Eden Gardens, maintaining their nine-year-old unbeaten record at the venue.
England's Jofra Archer was the star of the show as he dismissed both Sanju Samson and Suryakumar Yadav in the fifth over of the match. The seamer delivered a well-directed short ball that caught both batsmen off guard and resulted in their wickets. His efforts were crucial in England's victory as they managed to defend their total of 132, with Jos Buttler scoring 68 runs. India, on the other hand, fell short of their target despite a valiant effort from captain Virat Kohli, who scored 71 runs.