“A fantastic career”: Mitchell Starc pays tribute to retiring Ravi Ashwin

Australia’s Mitchell Starc has paid tribute to Ravi Ashwin after the Indian great announced his retirement from international cricket.

Ashwin, 38, has called time on his career with India across all three formats with immediate effect.

The spinner took 537 Test wickets at an average of 24, as well as 156 ODI wickets and 72 in the T20 arena. He also made six Test centuries.

Aussie paceman Starc feels Ashwin’s “fantastic career” should be celebrated justly.

“It’s big news,” Starc told SEN Cricket.

“His numbers speak for themselves. He’s been an incredible bowler for India for a long time, over 500 wickets.

“He’s got a close working relationship with Nathan (Lyon) and that mutual respect between teams and for someone of his calibre - congratulations on his career.

“He’s always been a bit of a thorn in our side over in India and played a part in series here in Australia.

“It’s been a fantastic career and I’m sure it will be celebrated that way.”

Ashwin’s haul of 537 Test wickets is second only to Anil Kumble’s 619 on India’s all-time wickets chart and seventh overall in the history of the game.

Watch SEN Cricket’s highlights of the third Test from the Gabba below: