“Ravichandran Ashwin should be given Khel Ratna award”: Congress MP's big request

Congress MP Vijay Vasant on his official social media handle urged Youth Affairs and Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya to honor former India off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin with the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award. India's renowned off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin on Wednesday revealed his decision to retire from international cricket soon after the Brisbane Test ended in a draw. “I have written to the Honorable Mansukh Mandaviya, Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports, requesting that R. Ashwin be honored with the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award. His extraordinary contribution to Indian cricket and remarkable achievements on the field make him truly great.” Deserving of this honour,” Vijay Vasanth wrote in a post on X.

Earlier on Wednesday, Ashwin had appeared with India captain Rohit Sharma at the post-match press conference to announce his decision. Speculations about his retirement began when he became emotional and Virat Kohli hugged him.

Ashwin played 106 Tests, taking 537 wickets, including 37 five-wicket hauls, and scored 3,503 runs. His contribution to Indian cricket goes far beyond these impressive statistics.

He is the seventh-highest wicket-taker in Test cricket history and the second-highest wicket-taker for India after Anil Kumble (619). He also holds the record for taking the second highest number of five wickets in Tests after Sri Lankan legend Muttiah Muralitharan (67).

Ashwin played a key role in India's dominance in Test cricket, especially during their rise to the top between 2014 and 2019.

In limited overs cricket, Ashwin played 181 matches, taking 228 wickets. He took 156 wickets and scored 707 runs in 116 ODIs with best figures of 4/25. In 65 T20Is, he took 72 wickets with best figures of 4/8, and scored 184 runs.

With 765 international wickets across all formats, Ashwin is India's second-highest wicket-taker behind Kumble (953). He was also a part of India's 2011 World Cup-winning team and 2013 Champions Trophy team.

Ashwin's retirement marks the end of a remarkable era, leaving behind a legacy that will inspire generations to come.