Image source– BCCI account on X
Time, indeed, flies, and it feels like only yesterday that a young prodigy made waves in the IPL, turning heads with his remarkable off-spin. The chatter then was unanimous—this boy had the guile, variations, and temperament to thrive in the white-ball game. Within a year, he donned India’s colors on the grandest stage, becoming a part of the 2011 World Cup squad. His spell against Australia in the quarter-finals, troubling Shane Watson with the new ball under pressure, was a glimpse of the greatness to come. Fast forward 14 years, and Ravichandran Ashwin leaves behind an unparalleled legacy—1,944 Test runs and 374 Test wickets in matches won for India, an all-round contribution unmatched in the history of Indian cricket.
Ashwin, you are truly one of a kind, and your greatness will forever resonate in the heart of Indian cricket.
In these 14 years, Ashwin did it all. He opened the bowling, delivered unbelievable spells, scored six Test centuries, bowled in crunch moments like the death overs of the 2013 Champions Trophy final, and hit the winning runs in the iconic clash against Pakistan in the 2022 T20 World Cup. With over 500 Test wickets to his name, he became every captain’s go-to player and a vital part of the team. He was at the heart of India’s unmatched home dominance in Test cricket, which lasted for over 13 years.
Ashwin’s journey is nothing short of extraordinary, and his impact on Indian cricket will be cherished forever, not just for his performances but for the sheer versatility and determination he brought to the game.
Ashwin was a thinking, intelligent cricketer, and that quality enabled him to do whatever was needed for the team. Before him, who would have imagined a spinner taking so many Test wickets with the new ball? He redefined the role so effectively that when Rohit Sharma didn’t give him the new ball in the Bangalore Test against New Zealand, fans couldn’t help but question, “Why not spin with the new ball?”
His intelligence became the driving force behind his evolution as a Test bowler. He wasn’t just about off-spin and the carrom ball, which he showcased in 2010. Over time, he mastered drift, the undercutter, dip, and guile, frustrating and outwitting batters with ease. Ashwin was a bowler with an endless bag of tricks, always ready to deliver something extraordinary.
537 Test wickets at an average of 24.01 and 3,503 Test runs at 25.76—those numbers alone are a Herculean feat, one that puts Ashwin in a league of his own. Add to that his 11 Player of the Series awards (the joint highest in Test cricket) and 10 Player of the Match awards (the joint highest for an Indian bowler), and you have a legacy that may take decades to match—if it can ever be matched at all.
But Ashwin’s greatness isn’t just about numbers. Records may be broken someday, but the intellect he brought to the game, his unique insights, his undying curiosity to learn, and his sheer love for cricket will remain irreplaceable. His presence on the field wasn’t just about skill—it was about a deep understanding of the game that inspired those around him. The void he leaves behind isn’t just a gap in the stats sheet; it’s a space that will forever remind us of his relentless dedication and unmatched brilliance.
When Anil Kumble retired and Harbhajan Singh quietly stepped away, Indian cricket wondered—who would take the legacy forward? Then came Ravichandran Ashwin, a spinner who not only carried the torch but raised it higher for 14 incredible years.
Now, as Ashwin steps aside, the question resurfaces—who’s next? Who will dare to follow in the footsteps of a giant and continue a legacy built on brilliance and determination?
A happy ending is not written in everyone’s fate. For 13 long years, Ashwin stood as a cornerstone of India’s dominance at home, never losing a Test series on Indian soil. Yet, his final home series will be remembered as a rare whitewash, handed by the Kiwis—a stark contrast to the glory he built. From the pride of never missing a single home Test since his debut to the heartbreak of losing his last four Tests, the journey closed with a tinge of irony.
But even in this bittersweet farewell, Ashwin’s legacy remains untarnished. His contributions go far beyond wins and losses, etched forever in the fabric of Indian cricket.
As the famous saying goes, “Don’t cry because it’s over… smile because it happened.” And as a cricket fan, though my heart aches while writing this, I can’t help but feel immense joy and gratitude for having witnessed Ashwin’s brilliance over the years.
Thank you for the memories, the magic, and the countless moments of pride. Go well, Ash, in your second innings. You’ve earned every bit of it.
