Mumbai: Sri Lanka’s Muttiah Muralitharan, the most successful bowler in cricket history, praised India’s Ravichandran Ashwin, who recently announced his retirement from international cricket, calling him an inspiration to aspiring cricketers. Ashwin concluded his international career with 537 wickets from 106 Tests, following the third Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy series between India and Australia in Brisbane on Wednesday.
Retiring as India’s second-highest wicket-taker behind Anil Kumble (619), Ashwin’s achievement was hailed by Muralitharan, who called it no small feat. “Ashwin began his career as a batsman and used spin as a secondary option. When he realized his future lay in bowling, he made a bold switch. Reaching 500 Test wickets is an extraordinary accomplishment,” Muralitharan told Telecom Asia Sport.
Muralitharan, who retired with 800 Test wickets in 133 matches, recalled his first impression of Ashwin during the early days of his career. “I was near the end of my career when Ashwin emerged. He struck me as a sharp young man eager to learn. He asked insightful questions, sought advice, and worked hard to improve. That determination set him apart,” Muralitharan added.
Ashwin’s 537 wickets place him as the seventh most successful bowler in Test history and the second-most successful off-spinner behind Muralitharan. “To retire as India’s second-highest wicket-taker in Tests is a remarkable achievement. Ashwin has brought pride to Tamil Nadu cricket and the entire nation. I wish him great success in his next phase,” Muralitharan said.
What particularly impressed the Sri Lankan legend was Ashwin’s relentless desire to keep learning. “Even as his career wound down, his passion for learning never diminished. The variations he developed are proof that he refused to rest on his past success. He constantly strived to improve,” Muralitharan concluded.