Haren
With a total of 537 wickets in Test matches for India, Ravichandran Ashwin stands only second in the most wickets list for India in Test cricket only behind Indian legend Anil Kumble with 619 wickets. As the 38-year-old announced his retirement from international cricket after the third Test in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, former Indian spinner Harbhajan Singh too was present at the Gabba. Singh, who is fourth in the most wickets list for India in Test cricket with 417 wickets, showered his praise on Ashwin post the end of the Test match at Brisbane.
“Well obviously, it was a bit of surprising news for me that suddenly Ravichandran Ashwin retires not only from Test cricket but from across the formats. I think a big news. Of course, A big news, of course a top bowler. A legend who has done well for India. And taken many wickets for India. Won a lot of games for India. I got to wish him all the luck for his new chapter, Whatever he will do, he will do his best. So wish him all the luck,” Harbhajan told Star Sports.
Congratulations @ashwinravi99 on a phenomenal cricket career. Your ambition as a test cricketer was admirable. Well done for being the flag bearer of Indian spin for more than a decade. Be very proud of your achievements and hopefully see you more often now.
— Harbhajan Turbanator (@harbhajan_singh) December 18, 2024
During his 13-year-old Test career, which started against West Indies at Delhi in 2011, Ashwin picked up 537 wickets at an average of 24 and at a strike rate of 50.7. Ashwin stands as the seventh-highest wicket taker in Test match history and is currently the highest wicket-taking off-spinner in Tests. Australian off-spinner Nathan Lyon stands as the eighth-highest wicket taker in Test match history currently with a total of 533 wickets and is expected to cross Ashwin’s tally. The Australian off-spinner termed Ashwin as ‘the best spinner of our era’.
“Shocked. I think Ashwin has been someone who we all looked up to in bowling. While this fellow here (Pointing to Harbhajan) Bowling off-breaks. He has been incredible for our craft. And he has been able to do that all around the world. So bit of shock news. But all I can say is thank you to Ravi for what he has brought to the game of cricket. He has been a fierce competitor. Someone whom I loved competing against. He has been arguably the best spinner of our era,” Lyon told Star Sports.
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