Top 3 Reasons Why Ashwin Retired Before Breaking Kumble’s Record Of 619 Wickets For India
Ravichandran Ashwin retired from Test cricket after the third Test of the Border Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25. This match took place at the Gabba in Brisbane. It was his final game in the Indian jersey.
Ravi Ashwin retires as the second highest wicket taker in Test cricket for India. In 106 Test matches, he took 537 wickets with an average of 24.01. Anil Kumble is first on the list with 619 wickets in 132 Test matches. Ashwin was only 82 wickets away from breaking this record but chose to retire. Here are three reasons why Ravi Ashwin did not chase the record.
1. Personal Choice: Ashwin decided to retire on his own terms. He wanted to leave the game while still at his best.
2. Focus on Future: He may want to focus on other goals. This could include coaching or playing in different formats.
3. Respect for Kumble: Ashwin has great respect for Anil Kumble. He may have felt it was important to honor Kumble’s record.
3. Lack of Chances in Overseas Tests
In this series, Ashwin played only in the second match in Adelaide. There were doubts about him playing in the last two games. This is not just about this series. The Indian team has not used Ashwin much in overseas Tests over the years. This could be a main reason for the Indian bowler’s decision.
2. 10 Months Away From Home Tests
If India makes it to the WTC final, they will go to England. After that, their next series will also be in England. India’s next home Test series will be against the West Indies in October. This means Ashwin has about 10 months before he can play a big role as a Test bowler. With so much time before he can help the team, Ashwin might think this is the best time to retire from the top level of the game.
1. Age Issue
Ravichandran Ashwin is 38 years old. If he retired now, his career would only last a few more years. He mostly plays home Tests, so he has few chances in the coming seasons. To get 82 wickets, he would need to play about 10 to 12 matches. This could take him two or three more years. Ashwin may have chosen not to deal with the stress of international cricket for that long, which is why he made this decision.
