Indian off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has announced his retirement from international cricket, shocking fans and teammates alike. However, he has left the door open for a future return to the game and is set to continue playing at the club level. With his abrupt decision, Ashwin will not travel with the team for their remaining matches in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
Ravichandran Ashwin Retires from International Cricket, Leaving Door Open for Future Return
In a surprise announcement, Indian off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has retired from international cricket with immediate effect. The news has sent shockwaves through the cricketing world, leaving fans and teammates alike stunned.
Ashwin, one of India's most successful bowlers, has taken 442 wickets in 86 Test matches and 157 wickets in 111 ODIs. He is the third-highest wicket-taker for India in Test cricket and the sixth-highest in ODI history.
The 36-year-old has been a key member of the Indian team for over a decade, playing a crucial role in their rise to the top of the Test rankings. He has been a prolific wicket-taker both at home and away, and has led the Indian bowling attack on numerous occasions.
Ashwin's retirement comes at a time when India is preparing for the remaining two matches of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia. He will not be traveling with the team for the matches, which will be played in Indore and Ahmedabad.
Background:
Ravichandran Ashwin made his international debut for India in 2010. He quickly established himself as one of the team's leading bowlers, and was part of the Indian squad that won the 2011 Cricket World Cup.
Ashwin has consistently performed at a high level throughout his career, and has been a vital part of India's success in both Test and ODI cricket. He is known for his ability to turn the ball both ways, and for his effective use of the carrom ball.
In recent years, Ashwin has been challenged by the emergence of younger spinners such as Axar Patel and Kuldeep Yadav. However, he remains one of India's most experienced bowlers, and his retirement will be a significant loss to the team.
FAQs:
Q: Why did Ravichandran Ashwin retire from international cricket? A: Ashwin has not publicly stated a specific reason for his retirement. However, it is possible that he is looking to spend more time with his family and focus on his domestic cricket career.
Q: Will Ashwin ever play international cricket again? A: Ashwin has left the door open for a future return to the game. He has said that he is "not closing any doors" and that he will "take a break and see how things go."
Q: Who will replace Ashwin in the Indian team? A: Axar Patel is likely to be the first choice to replace Ashwin in the Test team. Kuldeep Yadav could also be in contention for a spot in the squad.
Q: What is Ashwin's legacy in Indian cricket? A: Ashwin will be remembered as one of the greatest off-spinners in Indian cricket history. He is a brilliant wicket-taker and has played a key role in many of India's recent victories.
Q: What are Ashwin's plans for the future? A: Ashwin is expected to continue playing at the club level for Tamil Nadu and Chennai Super Kings. He may also pursue a career in commentary or coaching in the future.
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.