Spinner Ashwin retires from India duty

India off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has retired from international cricket.

The 38-year-old, the seventh-highest wicket-taker in Test history, made the announcement after the drawn third Test against Australia in Brisbane.

Ashwin, who did not play in the game, was widely recognised as one of the greats of the modern game during a 14-year India career.

He took 537 wickets at an average of 24 in 106 Tests - second only to Anil Kumble's 619 among India bowlers.

He also scored six centuries and averaged 25.75 with the bat.

"This will be my last day as an Indian cricketer in all formats in the international level," Ashwin said at a news conference at the Gabba.

"I do feel there's a bit of punch left in me as a cricketer, but I would like to showcase that in club level cricket."

Ashwin took 156 wickets at 33.20 apiece in 116 one-day internationals and 72 at an average of 23.22 in 65 T20s.

He was part of the squad that won the 2011 World Cup in India, although he played only two games.

He will be remembered largely for his Test exploits - his tally of 37 five-wicket hauls is second only to Sri Lanka great Muttiah Muralitharan.

Ashwin was the leading wicket-taker in India's past three series against England, including 24 in the 4-1 home triumph this year.

Captain Rohit Sharma said Ashwin considered retiring before the Australia tour but he convinced him to continue.

Ashwin was left out of the team for the first Test and took one wicket in the second.

"He was very sure about what he wanted to do and the team has complete backing of his thought process," Rohit said.

"He's had so many big moments with the Indian team and he's been a big match-winner for us.

"He's allowed to make these decisions, and if it is now, so be it."

'One of the all-time greats'

Ashwin's former captain and current team-mate Virat Kohli said: "I've played with you for 14 years and when you told me today you're retiring, it made me a bit emotional and the flashbacks of all those years playing together came to me.

"I've enjoyed every bit of the journey with you Ash. Your skill and match-winning contributions to Indian cricket are second to none and you will always and always be remembered as a legend of Indian cricket.

"Wish you nothing but the best in your life with your family and everything else that it unfolds for you.

"With massive respect and lots of love to you and your close ones. Thanks for everything buddy."

Australia captain Pat Cummins said Ashwin will "go down as one of the all-time greats".

"He's obviously been a fantastic player all around the world," Cummins said. "There aren't that many finger spinners that have that kind of longevity.

"There's a massive respect from our changing room for the career that he's had."

India coach Gautam Gambhir, who played alongside Ashwin, wrote on X: "The privilege of seeing you grow from a young bowler to a legend of modern cricket is something that I wouldn't trade for the world.

"I know that generations of bowlers to come will say that I became a bowler because of Ashwin."