“Always been a bit of a thorn in our side”, Australian star hails the career of Ravichandran Ashwin after his retirement

Australian fast bowler Mitchell Starc praised the career of Ashwin and said that he has always troubled his team back at home and also in Australia.

“Always been a bit of a thorn in our side”, Australian star hails the career of Ravichandran Ashwin after his retirement

Ravichandra Ashwin (via X)

Ravichandran Ashwin, the Indian off-spin legend, retired from Test cricket after the end of the third Test between Australia and India at the Gabba in Brisbane. It was a sudden retirement announcement in the middle of the series, as no one had expected this. He has been the greatest matchwinner for India in Test cricket in the last decade and one of the reasons why India did not lose a home series between 2012 and 2024.

Australian fast bowler Mitchell Starc praised the career of Ashwin and said that he has always troubled his team back at home and also in Australia. Starc hailed Ashwin’s legendary career and said that it will be celebrated because of the reason of picking up more than 500 Test wickets.

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He (Ashwin) has always been a bit of a thorn in our side over in India and played a part in series here in Australia. It’s been a fantastic career and I’m sure it will be celebrated that way, His numbers speak for themselves. He’s been an incredible bowler for India for a long time, over 500 wickets.

Mitchell Starc said to SEN Radio.

Ashwin has picked up 537 Test wickets in 106 matches at an average of 24.01 with a strike rate of 50.74. He has also scored 3,503 runs at an average of 25.76 with six centuries and 14 half-centuries. He has definitely been one of the greats of the game and also one of the finest all-rounders in Test cricket.

Mitchell Starc compared Ravichandran Ashwin with Nathan Lyon

Another great off spinner like Ashwin, Nathan Lyon has scalped 537 wickets playing for Australia in Test matches so far. Starc talked about the close relationship between Ashwin and Lyon and the mutual respect both the legendary off-spinners share.

Mitchell Starc also compared Ravichandran Ashwin with Nathan Lyon
Ravichandran Ashwin, Nathan Lyon (Via X)

He (Ashwin) has got a close working relationship with Nathan (Lyon) and that mutual respect between teams and for someone of his calibre – congratulations on his career. It’s been a fantastic career and I’m sure it will be celebrated that way.

Mitchell Starc said

Meanwhile, the Border-Gavaskar series is level at 1-1, with India winning the first Test in Perth by 295 runs and Australia winning the second Test by 10 wickets in Adelaide. The third Test in Brisbane ended in a draw due to the incessant rain and the weather issues. The Boxing Day Test will start on December 26 at the MCG.