The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on Friday posted a heart-warming tribute video for recently retired spinner Ravichandran Ashwin, who reflected on a very big promise he made to himself early in his career when the Indian team registered a series loss against England at home. Ashwin, who announced his retirement at the end of the Brisbane Test against Australia on Wednesday, was a crucial architect of India's home dominance that lasted for more than a dozen years and was kickstarted after India's loss to England in a Test series in 2012.
India lost the series at home to England in 2012 1-2 and Ashwin found himself early in his international career during that series. Ashwin ultimately finished as India's second-highest wicket-taker in that series with 14 scalps and fourth overall, but his bowling average of 52.64 and no four- or five-wicket hauls meant he was outshone by England's couple Monty Panesar and Graeme. Swann (17 and 20 wickets respectively) and compatriot Pragyan Ojha, who topped the charts with 20 scalps at an average of about 30 and two five-wicket hauls and best figures of 5/45.
Ashwin, then a youngster, was dejected by this loss in the series and especially by a setback in familiar home conditions. In the BCCI video, Ashwin reminisced about how he promised himself to ensure India did not lose another series at home.
“I made a promise to myself in 2012, we lost a tough series against England. I was very early in my career and I told myself we wouldn't lose another one. Ever. And that's what I promised myself” , he said. Aswin.
A tribute to one of the best all-rounders cricket has ever seen.
LOOK – On @RajalArora#TeamIndia | #ThanksAshwin | @ashwinravi99https://t.co/XkKriOcxrZ
— BCCI (@BCCI) December 20, 2024
Ashwin indeed fulfilled that promise. From the 2013 home series against Australia to this year's home series against Bangladesh, the legend topped the bowling charts in an unbeaten run at home with 329 scalps at an average of 20.62, with best figures of 7/59. He also took 24 five-wicket hauls and five ten-wicket hauls during this time. With the bat, he contributed 1,556 runs in 56 matches and 70 innings at an average of 22.88, with three centuries and six fifties and a best score of 124. With both bat and ball, Ashwin was a key architect of the domestic dominance of India's run came to an end during a 0-3 whitewash against New Zealand this year.
Speaking about his achievements at the time of retirement, Ashwin said he did not expect to achieve so much.
“But if someone had told me in 2011 that I would get so many wickets and retire in December 2024, I wouldn't have believed them. This is a game I love, but I didn't expect to get so much love and would get wickets and I am also happy that I have a sense of gratitude for everyone who supported and challenged me. Thank you,” he concluded.
In 106 Tests for India, the legendary all-rounder took 537 wickets at an average of 24.00, with best figures of 7/59. He took 37 five-wicket hauls and eight ten-fers in his Test career. He is the seventh highest wicket-taker in Tests overall and the second highest for India behind legendary spinner Anil Kumble (619 scalps). He also has the second most five wickets in Tests, behind Sri Lankan spin icon Muttiah Muralitharan (67).
He also made 3,503 runs at an average of 25.75, with six centuries and 14 fifties in 151 innings and a best score of 124.
In 116 ODIs, the ace spinner took 156 wickets at an average of 33.20, with best figures of 4/25. He also made 707 runs at an average of 16.44, including one fifty, a knock of 65 in 63 innings. He is the 13th highest wicket-taker in ODIs for India.
In 65 T20Is, he took 72 wickets at an average of 23.22. His best marks are 4/8. He also scored 184 runs in 19 innings at an average of 26.28, with the best score of 31. He is the sixth highest wicket-taker for India in T20Is.
With 765 scalps in 287 matches, he is India's second highest wicket-taker across all formats, next to Kumble (953)
He also won the 2011 50-Over World Cup and the 2013 Champions Trophy with India.
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