Ravichandran Ashwin announced his retirement from international cricket during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia in December 2024, following the Brisbane Test. His decision surprised many, as it came unexpectedly. However, the 38-year-old spinner later disclosed that he had contemplated retiring from the longest format of the game well in advance.

Ashwin reached a significant milestone by playing his 100th Test match in Dharamsala against England in 2024, where he took nine wickets. To commemorate this achievement, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) held a special ceremony, during which Ashwin received a memento and delivered a speech in front of his teammates.

At an event in Chennai, Ashwin shared that he had intended for his 100th Test in Dharamsala to be his final match and had even invited former India and Chennai Super Kings (CSK) captain MS Dhoni to attend.

Unfortunately, Dhoni was unable to be present in Dharamsala. Ashwin expressed his gratitude to the five-time IPL-winning captain for facilitating his return to CSK, where his career initially took off.

“I invited MS Dhoni to present the memento at my 100th Test in Dharamsala, as I wished for it to be my last match. However, he couldn’t attend. Nevertheless, I never anticipated that he would give me the gift of returning to CSK, which is far more meaningful. Thank you, MS, for that. I am truly happy to be here,” Ashwin remarked during a book launch event on Sunday.

“Most importantly, I have returned to CSK not merely as someone who has accomplished much, but as an individual who has completed a full circle and wishes to enjoy the experience just as I did before. It is a wonderful environment,” he added.

Ashwin to don CSK jersey in IPL 2025

Ravichandran Ashwin is set to join Chennai Super Kings (CSK) for the IPL 2025 season, which commences on March 22. The franchise acquired the spinner during the mega auction for a sum of INR 9.75 crore.

Ashwin concluded his international career as India's second-highest wicket-taker across all formats. He participated in 106 Test matches, 116 One Day Internationals (ODIs), and 65 Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is), amassing a total of 765 wickets. In Test cricket alone, he claimed 537 wickets, which includes 37 instances of taking five wickets in a single innings.

The spinner first gained prominence while playing for CSK alongside MS Dhoni, who played a crucial role in his development by giving him a new ball during the powerplay overs. This experience in the IPL was instrumental in paving the way for Ashwin's entry into international cricket under Dhoni's guidance, leading to a successful career thereafter. Ashwin was also a member of India's squad that triumphed in the 2011 World Cup and the 2013 Champions Trophy.

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