Ravichandran Ashwin retirement: Best performances across career – From 1 not out against Pakistan to Sydney heroics in 2021

Ravichandran Ashwin on Wednesday drew curtains on his long 14-year international career after India’s drawn Test match against Australia at the Gabba in Brisbane. After making his debut in 2010, Ashwin grew in stature and went on to become one of the legends of the game, especially in Test cricket. With 537 wickets in 106 Tests, Ashwin finished just behind legendary Anil Kumble (619) for most Test scalps for India.

Not only his ability to take wickets but his skills as a lower middle order batsman has made Ashwin one of the most influential cricketers in world cricket. From his two wickets against Australia in the ODI World Cup quarter-final in 2011 to his heroics in the Champions Trophy final a year later in England, Ravichandran Ashwin’s list of memorable performances is long. Let’s take a look at a few of them as the 38-year-old lays his Indian jersey to rest.

7/59 v New Zealand (2016 – Test)

After Virat Kohli, Cheteshwar Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane ran riot against New Zealand with the bat in Indore in the third Test, it was Ravichandran Ashwin’s time to weave magic with the ball. Taking full advantage of the spin conditions, Ashwin took 6/81 and 7/59 in the match which India won by 321 runs. It was also in the same series that Ashwin finished with a whopping 27 wickets from three matches. He had also taken a six-fer in the first Test of the series.

2/52 against Australia in the 2011 ODI World Cup

Although Ravichandran Ashwin managed to play just two out of India’s nine matches in the 2011 ODI World Cup, the off-spinner made sure he made an impact. The off-spinner, then just a year old in international cricket, opened the bowling against the mighty Australians in the quarter-finals and did not disappoint his captain with the wicket of Shane Watson.

Later, Ashwin dismissed Australian skipper Ricky Ponting for 140. From the outside, it might appear that Ashwin has taken only two wickets, but the pressure and impact he created on the opposition batsmen deserves applause.

2/15 vs England – 2013 Champions Trophy Final

With just 129 runs on board in a rain-hit Champions Trophy final in 2013, Ravichandran Ashwin repaid then India captain MS Dhoni’s faith with a stunning show at Lord’s. In windy conditions, with the ball traveling faster than usual, Ashwin’s 2-0-6-2 in his first innings, which included the wickets of Jonathan Trott and Joe Root in back-to-back overs, has pulled England back.

To make matters worse for the hosts, Ashwin bowled a maiden third before Dhoni went to his trump card for the final over, with England needing 14 runs to win. Ashwin did not let his captain down as England managed just eight runs, giving India a thrilling five-run victory and lifting the title for the first time.

39*, 128b v Australia – Sydney Test, 2021

Chasing 407 runs and 309 runs on the final day in Sydney in 2021, India suffered a major blow when skipper Ajinkya Rahane walked out early. Although Cheteshwar Pujara (77) and Rishabh Pant (97) revived India with a 148-run stand, it was left to Ravichandran Ashwin and Hanuma Vihari in what became a historic partnership in the annals of Indian cricket.

With excruciating back pain preventing him from sitting down, Ravichandran Ashwin showed grit and stamina as he along with Vihari not only stopped the Aussies but the duo survived 259 balls and added an unbeaten 62 runs to deny the hosts. While Vihari struck for 161 balls for his unbeaten 23, Ashwin took 128 balls for 39 not out as India continued to play for a draw.

1* v Pakistan – T20 World Cup, 2022)

Ravichandran Ashwin walked out to bat on the last ball of the match against Pakistan in front of a packed Melbourne Cricket Ground. With India needing two two runs off the last ball, Ashwin entered the field after Dinesh Karthik was hit by Mohammad Nawaz.

Ashwin was a master tactician and he kept his game awareness as he looked to leave a Nawaz delivery going over the off-stump. With the score level, the all-rounder lifted a perfect shot over mid-off to hit the gains to give India a memorable win.