The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) sent heartfelt birthday wishes to Ravichandran Ashwin, the esteemed former Indian spin-bowling all-rounder, who celebrated his 40th birthday on Thursday.
Ashwin concluded his international career with an impressive tally of 765 wickets, which includes 537 in Test matches, 156 in One Day Internationals (ODIs), and 72 in T20 Internationals. His Test record features 537 wickets achieved over 106 matches, complemented by 37 five-wicket hauls and eight ten-wicket match hauls.
BCCI’s Warm Wishes
“287 international matches, 765 international wickets, 4394 international runs, including 6 Test centuries. A proud winner of the ICC Men’s ODI World Cup in 2011 and the ICC Champions Trophy in 2013. Wishing a very happy birthday to #TeamIndia’s great Ravichandran Ashwin @ashwinravi99,” the BCCI shared in a post on X.
An Illustrious Career
Ashwin made his international debut in 2010 and quickly became an integral part of the Indian cricket team, particularly in Test formats. His ability to perform under pressure and in crucial matches has endeared him to fans.
Record Across Formats
In ODIs, Ashwin secured 156 wickets across 116 matches, maintaining a bowling average of 33.20 and an economy rate of 4.93, with his best figures being 4/25. In T20 Internationals, he achieved 72 wickets in 65 matches, averaging 23.22 with an economy rate of 6.90, and his best figures were 4/8.
The Cricket Innovator
Ashwin introduced various techniques learned from playing tennis-ball cricket in Chennai, including the innovative soduku ball, a finger-flicked legbreak. He established himself as one of the premier off-spinners of the early 21st century. His deep understanding of the game and relentless curiosity about its intricacies defined his bowling style.
ICC Tournament Highlights
Ashwin was part of the victorious Indian squad in the 2011 World Cup, although he had limited playtime due to Harbhajan Singh’s selection. In the 2015 World Cup, he played a crucial role, taking 13 wickets in eight matches as India reached the semi-finals. One of his standout performances in T20Is was during the 2014 World T20, where he took 4 for 11 against Australia, finishing the tournament with 11 wickets as India reached the final.
Retirement as a Cricketing Icon
Ashwin announced his retirement from international cricket in 2024, standing as India’s second-highest wicket-taker, following Anil Kumble, and one of the most successful spinners in the history of the sport. He remained a formidable player until his retirement, taking 37 wickets in seven home Tests against England and Bangladesh earlier that year.