Ranking Ravichandran Ashwin's 5 best spells in international cricket

India's spin wizard Ravichandran Ashwin announced his retirement after the third Border Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) 2024-25 Test at The Gabba ended in a draw as rain had the final say. Ashwin was not a part of the playing XI for this game and therefore played his last international match for India in the second Test of the series in Adelaide.

His retirement came as a shock for many as it was unexpected, particularly mid-way through the series.

The 38-year-old, with 537 scalps, ended as India's second-highest wicket-taker after Anil Kumble (619). Ashwin also picked up 156 ODI and 72 T20I wickets. He also scored 3,503 runs in Tests, and 707 and 184 runs in ODIs and T20Is respectively.

The willy off-spinner and more than handy batter will go down among the finest cricketers to have played for India, achieving multiple records and milestones while delivering several match-winning performances for the country across formats.

That said, as Ravichandran Ashwin closed his India chapter, let us relive his five best spells in international cricket across formats.

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Ranking Ravichandran Ashwin's 5 best spells in international cricket

#5 3/24 vs New Zealand, Chennai 2010

In the fifth ODI of the home series against New Zealand in Chennai in 2010, India bundled New Zealand out for just 103 runs in 27 overs bowling first.

Ashwin emerged as India's highest wicket-taker in the innings, returning with figures of 3/24 from his eight overs with an economy rate of 3.00. He accounted for the wickets of Scott Styris, Kyle Mills, and Tim Southee.

The hosts chased down the target with ease, winning the match comfortably with eight wickets to spare.

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#4 4/8 vs Sri Lanka, Visakhapatnam, 2016

The third T20I between hosts India and Sri Lanka at Visakhapatnam in 2016 saw the Men in Blue steamroll their neighbors as they skittled Sri Lanka out for a paltry total of just 82 runs after bowling first.

Ashwin was the wrecker-in-chief with the ball, grabbing four wickets from his four overs while giving away just eight runs and bowling a maiden over as well. He broke the bone of their batting, dismissing their top four batters - Niroshan Dickwella, Tillakaratne Dilshan, Dinesh Chandimal, and Asela Gunaratne. The spinner also won the 'Player of the Match' for his stellar display.

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#3 6/41 vs Australia, Bengaluru 2017

One of Ashwin's finest spells in Test cricket came against Australia during the second Test of the home series in Bengaluru in 2017. The visitors were set a target of 188 runs to win the game in the final innings as Ashwin put up a match-winning performance, helping restrict the visitors to 112 all-out as India won by 75 runs.

The off-spinner returned with figures of 6/41 from 12.4 overs as he destroyed the Australian batting line-up. He accounted for the key wickets of David Warner, Peter Handscomb, Mitchell Marsh, and Matthew Wade among others. He had earlier grabbed a couple of wickets in Australia's first innings.

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#2 7/66 vs South Africa, Nagpur 2015

In the third Test against South Africa at home in Nagpur in 2015, Ashwin weaved his magic with the ball to guide India to a 124-run victory. The visitors were given a target of 310 runs to chase in the final innings. They were bowled out for just 185 runs thanks to an impressive spell of 7/66 by Ravichandran Ashwin.

Ashwin removed both their openers Dean Elgar and Stiaan Van Zyl first up before picking up some more key wickets such as those of Ab de Villiers, JP Duminy, and Dane Villas. He also dismissed Kagiso Rabada and Morne Morkel. Ashwin bagged five wickets in the first innings as well and was rightfully awarded 'Player of the Match'.

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#1 7/59 vs New Zealand, Indore 2016

Ashwin's best figures in Test cricket came against New Zealand during the Indore Test in 2016 where he picked up 7/59 in the final innings of the game.

The Kiwis were chasing a target of 475 runs and were skittled out for just 153 thanks to the heroics of Ashwin, who ran through their middle order, bagging the big wickets of Kane Williamson, Ross Taylor, and Luke Ronchi. He also led the clean-up act, picking up the last four wickets in the form of Mitchell Santner, Jeetan Patel, Matt Henry, and Trent Boult.

Ashwin had earlier grabbed six wickets in the first innings as well, winning yet another 'Player of the Match' award.