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Evening Standard
Evening Standard
Sport
Alex Young

Cricket shock as India off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin retires midway through tour

India off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has retired from international cricket halfway through his side's tour of Australia.

The 38-year-old, who took 537 wickets in 106 Tests, announced his immediate retirement after the third match in Brisbane ended in a rain-affected draw.

"This will be my last day as an Indian cricketer in all formats at an international level," Ashwin told a press conference.

"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.

"It's a very emotional moment. I have had a lot of fun. I have made a lot of memories."

Ashwin was left out of the opening match of the series in Perth, before being recalled for the second Test in Adelaide. He was left out in Brisbane in favour of Ravindra Jadeja.

Captain Rohit Sharma said he was aware Ashwin was considering retirement before the series, but convinced him to play in Adelaide last week.

As well as his Test career, which also included six hundreds, Ashwin also played in 116 one-day internationals and 65 T20s for India.

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