Ravichandran Ashwin, the ex-Indian spinner who retired from international cricket back on December 18, 2024, dropped a bomb on Sunday (March 16). He said he actually wanted to retire after the India-England Test series in March last year.
Ashwin was at the Chennai Super Kings book launch, called ‘Leo—The Untold Story,’ when he said he’d asked MS Dhoni to give him the award for his 100th Test in Dharamsala (March 7-11, 2024). He wanted that game to be his last for India.
Ashwin told Sportstar, I asked MS (Dhoni) to hand over the award at my 100th Test in Dharamshala because I wanted that to be my last Test, but he couldn’t make it.
Ashwin is India’s second-biggest wicket-taker in Tests and international cricket. He played his 100th Test against England at the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association (HPCA) Stadium from March 7-9, 2024. He grabbed 4 wickets for 51 runs in the first innings and then took out five English batters for 77 runs in the second, helping India win by an innings and 64 runs.
After India beat England 4-1 at home, Ashwin played two Tests against Bangladesh around September-October, three against New Zealand in October-November, and one against Australia in December 2024.
He got dropped from India’s lineup for the third Test against Australia in Brisbane. After that match, he said he was retiring from all forms of the game.
Ashwin started his IPL career with CSK and then played for Rising Pune Super Giants, Punjab Kings, Delhi Capitals, and Rajasthan Royals. He’ll be back with CSK for IPL 2025. The Chennai team bought him for Rs 9.75 crore in the IPL 2025 mega auction.
Ashwin said he never thought Dhoni would let him play for CSK again.
He added, “I didn’t think he (Dhoni) would bring me back to CSK. It’s even better than I expected. So, thanks, MS! I’m happy to be here.
