Ravichandran Ashwin, the legendary left‑hand off‑spinner, has made a bold exit from both international cricket and the IPL, declaring his retirement on social media after a long and illustrious career.
While the triumphant tone of his announcement reflected a career full of trophies, the 43‑year‑old also left a trail of controversial moments that have become part of IPL folklore.
In the 2019 season, while playing for Rajasthan Royals against Kings XI Punjab, Ashwin sparked widespread debate when he delivered a run‑out on Jos Buttler. The incident began when Buttler was at the non‑striker’s end during a precarious chase. Ashwin fielded a delivery, and through a drop in the crease, accused the Rajasthan player of leaving the crease prematurely, allowing Ashwin to claim the wicket. The move ignited fury among fans, prompting a wave of criticism directed at Ashwin for exploiting a loophole in the rules.
Fast‑forward to 2021, Ashwin’s tenure with Delhi Capitals was punctuated by a tense clash with Kolkata Knight Riders captain O’Ryan Morgan and fast bowler Tim Saufi. During a crucial 16th over, Ashwin was dismissed for just nine runs, but the drama did not end there. An overthrow by KKR led to an extra run, and Ashwin’s insistence that Rishabh Pant collect it triggered an argument. The combative exchange eventually spilled onto the pitch, with Morgan having to intervene and Ashwin taking to the field in a heated row.
The final chapter of Ashwin’s IPL controversies arrived in 2022 when he became the first player to retire out in a match featuring Rajasthan Royals versus Lucknow Super Giants. Batting at number six, Ashwin made the unconventional decision to retire on the second ball of the 19th over to preserve energy or mitigate risk. His retire‑out at 18 l‑balls decided the outcome, as the Royals edged out the Giants by a narrow margin after a roller‑coaster chase.
