Dec 2006DebutProfessional
Ashwin debuts for Tamil Nadu in the Ranji Trophy
He made his first-class debut in December 2006 at the age of 20 against Haryana, taking six wickets. He had started as an opening batter before turning to off-spin.
WikipediaStoryboard
Ravichandran Ashwin’s story
From a Chennai opener to 537 Test wickets, then a short Major League Cricket chapter with the San Francisco Unicorns cut short by injury.
2006 — 2026 · in 4 chapters- 012006–2010Learning the craftHe started as an opening batter in Tamil Nadu, turned to off-spin, debuted in the Ranji Trophy in 2006 and took 13 wickets as Chennai won the 2010 IPL.
- 022011–2016Test debut to world's bestNine wickets on Test debut in 2011 began a run that included the 2013 Champions Trophy and the 2016 ICC Cricketer of the Year award.
- 032024–2025Milestones and farewellsHe reached 500 Test wickets in February 2024, retired from international cricket in December 2024 and from the IPL in August 2025.
- 042026The American chapterHe signed with the Unicorns as the first India-capped player in MLC, played one match and was ruled out with a knee injury.
01Chapter 1 · 2006–2010
Learning the craft
He started as an opening batter in Tamil Nadu, turned to off-spin, debuted in the Ranji Trophy in 2006 and took 13 wickets as Chennai won the 2010 IPL.
2 moments ▾- 2006
- 201025 Apr 2010WinProfessional
Ashwin's 13 wickets help Chennai win their first IPL title
Chennai Super Kings beat Mumbai Indians in the 2010 final in Navi Mumbai. Ashwin took 13 wickets in the season, which led to his first India call-up for the tour of Zimbabwe a month later.
Wikipedia
02Chapter 2 · 2011–2016
Test debut to world's best
Nine wickets on Test debut in 2011 began a run that included the 2013 Champions Trophy and the 2016 ICC Cricketer of the Year award.
3 moments ▾- 20116 Nov 2011DebutInternationalBig moment
Ashwin takes nine wickets on Test debut against West Indies
In the first Test in Delhi (6 to 10 November) he took 3 for 81 and 6 for 47, nine wickets in all, and was named Player of the Match as India won by five wickets.
Wikipedia - 201323 Jun 2013WinInternational
India win the Champions Trophy final with Ashwin taking 2 for 15
India beat England by five runs at Edgbaston. Ashwin took 2 for 15 in four overs, removing Trott and Root, as England were held to 124 for 8.
Wikipedia - 201621 Dec 2016AwardInternationalBig moment
Ashwin named ICC Cricketer of the Year and Test Player of the Year
He won the Sir Garfield Sobers Trophy as ICC Men's Cricketer of the Year and the ICC Men's Test Player of the Year award for 2016, after 48 Test wickets in the 2015-16 season.
Wikipedia
03Chapter 3 · 2024–2025
Milestones and farewells
He reached 500 Test wickets in February 2024, retired from international cricket in December 2024 and from the IPL in August 2025.
3 moments ▾- 202416 Feb 2024MilestoneInternationalBig moment
Ashwin takes his 500th Test wicket
In the third Test against England in Rajkot he became the second Indian and ninth bowler overall to reach 500 Test wickets. He finished that series as leading wicket-taker with 26.
Wikipedia - 18 Dec 2024ReleaseInternationalBig moment
Ashwin retires from international cricket
He announced his retirement during India's tour of Australia. His Test career ended with 537 wickets and 3,503 runs, including six hundreds.
Wikipedia - 202527 Aug 2025ReleaseProfessional
Ashwin announces retirement from the IPL
After one season back at Chennai Super Kings, where he began his IPL career, he announced his retirement from the IPL.
Wikipedia
04Chapter 4 · 2026
The American chapter
He signed with the Unicorns as the first India-capped player in MLC, played one match and was ruled out with a knee injury.
3 moments ▾- 202628 Mar 2026SigningProfessionalBig moment
Indian legend Ashwin signs for the San Francisco Unicorns
The Unicorns announced the off-spinner as the first Indian-capped player to play in Major League Cricket. They described him as a 2011 World Cup and 2013 Champions Trophy winner and one of the top five wicket-takers in IPL history.
San Francisco Unicorns
- 20 Jun 2026AppearanceProfessional
MLC 2026 season: one match, a wicketless debut, then a knee injury
Ashwin played one match, the Unicorns' first win of the season, a seven-wicket victory over Texas Super Kings at Grand Prairie on 20 June. He took no wicket and his first over went for 15. A right knee injury then ended his season. The Unicorns finished in the top two of the regular-season table, lost the Qualifier to LA Knight Riders by 7 runs (15 July, Oakland) and the Challenger to Washington Freedom by 7 runs (16 July, Oakland), so missed the final.
San Francisco UnicornsThat day: 2 more from teammates →
This moment is on a cardLegend - Ravichandran AshwinIn SFU packs · from $45 - 9 Jul 2026SetbackProfessionalThat day: 1 more from teammate →
Ashwin ruled out of MLC 2026 with a knee injury
The Unicorns announced a right knee injury had ended his season. Peter Siddle, already in the squad as cover for Xavier Bartlett and Aaron Hardie, was approved as his replacement for the rest of the tournament.
San Francisco Unicorns