Cricket - India's 'carrom ball' champion Ashwin bows out of international cricket

India's Ravichandran Ashwin celebrates after taking the wicket of England's Ollie Pope during the fourth day of the second Test cricket match between India and England at the Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy Cricket Stadium in Visakhapatnam on February 5, 2024. India spinner Ravichandran Ashwin announced his immediate retirement from international cricket following the third Test against Australia in Brisbane on Tuesday, December 18, 2024. - AFP

SYDNEY (Reuters): Batters around the world heaved a sigh of relief on Wednesday as Ravichandran Ashwin brought down the curtain on an international career that saw the India spinner take more than 500 test wickets with an arsenal that included the dreaded 'carrom ball'.

The 38-year-old was not selected for the opening test against Australia in Perth but returned to the side for the day-night second match in Adelaide, where he took one wicket.