Top News

Ravichandran Ashwin's Retirement Announcement

After much speculation, renowned Indian cricketer Ravichandran Ashwin officially announced his retirement from the Indian Premier League (IPL) on Wednesday. Throughout his IPL journey, he represented five teams: Chennai Super Kings, Rising Pune Supergiants, Punjab Kings, Delhi Capitals, and Rajasthan Royals. Over a remarkable 16-year career, Ashwin participated in 221 matches, scoring 833 runs and taking 187 wickets, ultimately retiring as one of the top five wicket-takers in IPL history.

A Unique IPL Career

Ashwin's IPL legacy will not be defined solely by his batting, bowling, or captaincy. Instead, he will be remembered for his groundbreaking decisions. He played a pivotal role in popularizing the 'Mankading' dismissal, which has now been recognized as a legitimate run-out. Additionally, Ashwin was the first player to be 'retired out' in the IPL, a practice that has since gained traction.

Controversy Surrounding Mankading

During the 2019 IPL season, Ashwin, while captaining Punjab Kings, controversially ran out a Rajasthan Royals player at the non-striker's end, sparking debates about the spirit of cricket. Opinions among players, commentators, and BCCI officials were divided. Despite the controversy, Ashwin consistently supported the practice, leading to the ICC's decision to classify Mankading as a run-out, thereby validating the dismissal.

The Retired Out Incident

In IPL 2022, while playing for Rajasthan Royals, Ashwin became the first player to be 'retired out' against Lucknow Super Giants, scoring 28 runs off 23 balls before being replaced by Riyan Parag. This incident marked a significant moment in IPL history, contributing to the growing acceptance of the 'retired out' rule.

---