India's 'all-time great' Ashwin retires from intl cricket

BRISBANE:

India's off-spinning great Ravichandran Ashwin announced his immediate retirement from international cricket following the third Test against Australia in Brisbane on Wednesday.

The 38-year-old took 537 wickets in his 106 Tests at an average of 24.00, leaving him seventh on the all-time list and second only to Anil Kumble (619) for his country.

He also played 116 one-day and 65 Twenty20 internationals.

"This will be my last day as an Indian cricketer in all formats at an international level," Ashwin said at the post match press conference alongside skipper Rohit Sharma after the match was drawn.

"I feel there's a little bit of punch left in me as a cricketer, but I'd like to express that, showcase that, in club-level cricket."

He was also more than useful with the bat.

Described as an "all-time great" by his Test captain Rohit Sharma, Ashwin earlier this year became only the ninth bowler to reach 500 Test wickets and only the second from India after Anil Kumble (619).

He also played 116 one-day and 65 Twenty20 internationals.

Ashwin walked into the sunset after the drawn third Test against Australia in Brisbane.

He was visibly emotional as he was hugged by Virat Kohli in the dressing room.

"There's a bit left in me as a cricketer but I would like to exploit it at the domestic and club-level cricket," Ashwin told reporters.

"I have had a lot of fun, a lot of memories."

He was not selected for Brisbane, with his final Test in Adelaide last week, where he took 1-53 and India were well beaten by 10 wickets.

'Legend'

India head coach Gautam Gambhir paid tribute to a player he said would be greatly missed.

"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," Gambhir wrote on social media.

Team-mate Kohli said he had "enjoyed every bit of the journey" with the bowler.

"Your skill and match-winning contributions to Indian cricket are second to none and you will always be remembered as a legend of Indian cricket," Kohli said.

Ashwin, who is from the southern city of Chennai, started out as an IT engineer after graduating from university and is known for his precision. The innovative Ashwin always worked on his craft, even after his skill and guile led to a glittering international career.

He reached the landmark of 500 wickets in the third Test against England in February at Rajkot when he dismissed Zak Crawley.

A master craftsman, Ashwin employed the full width of the crease as he delivered his off-spin from multiple angles with varying pace. He also had a deceptive "arm ball" that goes straight on, and worked to develop a "carrom ball" that goes the other way, delivered using his knuckles. AFP