Ravichandran Ashwin, one of India’s most celebrated spinners, announced his retirement from international cricket following the third Test against Australia in the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25. Ashwin featured in only one Test during the series, the day-night match at Adelaide Oval. His decision to step away from international cricket surprised fans and cricket pundits alike.
Shortly after the announcement, Ashwin’s activity on social media stirred a different kind of buzz. He posted a leadership-inspired line on his ‘X’ (formerly Twitter) account that quickly drew attention and speculation. Many fans interpreted the post as a subtle commentary on the cricketing ecosystem, with some suggesting it might reflect on his own experiences or the dynamics within Indian cricket.
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Ashwin had tweeted, “Good leaders emerge when they show resolve for a scrap,” a statement that sparked wide-ranging discussions. However, the veteran spinner was quick to dispel any misunderstandings, issuing a clarifying tweet: “This tweet isn’t for people who own fan clubs.” With this, Ashwin underlined that the remark was not aimed at cricketers with loyal fan bases, steering the focus back to the broader context of leadership.
This tweet isn’t for people who own fan clubs😂😂 https://t.co/HthA1yiuWM
— Ashwin 🇮🇳 (@ashwinravi99) December 30, 2024
Although retired from international cricket, Ashwin remains active in the Indian Premier League (IPL). He played for Rajasthan Royals until 2024 but will don the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) jersey in IPL 2025, returning to the team where he began his IPL journey. Expressing his delight, Ashwin shared a heartfelt message after being reacquired by CSK during the 2025 mega auction.
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“They say life is a circle,” Ravichandran Ashwin remarked in a video. “From 2008 to 2015, I wore the yellow jersey for CSK. What I learned there helped me immensely in my international cricket journey. It’s been almost 10 years since my last season with CSK in 2015. I don’t know how to express my emotions; being picked by CSK again feels surreal.”
Ashwin’s return to CSK marks a nostalgic chapter for fans and a fitting continuation of his illustrious career in the IPL.
