R Ashwin retires: Demon at home, fighter abroad

Just like that without a second glance R Ashwin rode away into the sunset calling time on a glorious international career that saw him go where only one other Indian spinner had beforeAnil Kumble Ashwinrsquos hero and role model remains the countryrsquos most prolific wickettaker with 619 scalps from 132 Tests Ashwin signed off with 537 wickets from 106 matches a tribute to his longevity and an uncompromising command on his craft that made him dangerous anywhere but especially so at home where he was practically unplayable for more than a decadeIndiarsquos R Ashwin exults after dismissing NZrsquos Rachin Ravindra during Day Two of the third and final Test at Wankhede Stadium Mumbai on November 2 2024 PicAFPIn so many ways beyond the fact they were both spinners armed with a degree in engineering Kumble and Ashwin were remarkably similar individuals both striving constantly to get better both armed with the aggression of a fast bowler both developing new skills to not merely stay relevant but go one up on the opposition ldquoWe will probably realise his quality when he has retired and moved onrdquo Kumble had told this reporter on the eve of Ashwinrsquos 100th Test in Dharamsala against England this March ldquoBut in my book Ash is in the top tier of players who have played for the countryrdquoKumblersquos high praiseThatrsquos high praise from clearly the greatest matchwinner in Indian Test history Ashwin constantly kept raising the bar fusing his natural inquisitiveness with an inner fire that burnt brightly till his final day as a Test cricketer in the pinkball game in Adelaide 10 days backConsidering cricketrsquos standing as a numbersrsquo game it is inevitable that Ashwin will be viewed through that prism It does make for pretty viewing ndash 537 wickets 37 fivewicket hauls six centuries all pointing to an excellent allrounder who set and maintained high standards for nearly a decade and a half But even those exceptional numbers donrsquot tell the full tale of Ashwinrsquos influence on the teamrsquos fortunes and the part he played in India winning every series at home for 12 years between the start of 2013 and the 03 loss to New Zealand last monthDiminished roleHis role especially outside the subcontinent has diminished in recent times with India stringing together a quality pace attack and Ravindra Jadeja emerging as the firstchoice spinner But that should take little away from a glittering journey Rohit Sharma did turn to Ashwin as the attacking spinning choice in the Adelaide Test and even though things didnrsquot go to plan it goes to show that even at 38 his captain believed he was the best person to lead the teamrsquos charge behind the threepronged specialist pace attackOne of Ashwinrsquos most striking traits was his willingness to experiment in a bid to stay ahead of the curve His skills have been immense enough for him to just coast in their wake especially when they kept bringing him unparalleled success but Ashwin isnrsquot the kind to let the grass grow beneath his feet His constant endeavour to seek answers to the most vexing questions and his propensity to continue to challenge himself are reasons why he is in the top echelons of bowlers to have played Test cricket That as much as anything else will remain the essence of his stellar cricketing journey37No of fivewicket hauls Ashwin has in his careerSixNo of Test centuries Ashwin scoredEightNo of times R Ashwin claimed 10 or more wickets in a Test27246No of deliveries R Ashwin bowled in Test cricket