Ashwin featured in only one of the first three Tests of the ongoing series in Australia, taking 1 for 53 in the day-night Test in Adelaide. His performances in the previous home series against New Zealand, where India suffered a 3-0 defeat, saw him claim just nine wickets at an average of 41.22.

"This will be my last year as an Indian cricketer in all formats at the international level. I feel there's a little bit of punch left in me as a cricketer, but I'd like to express that, showcase that in club-level cricket,” Ashwin said after the Brisbane Test at a press conference.

"I've had a lot of fun. I have made a lot of memories alongside Rohit [Sharma] and several of my team-mates, even though we've lost some of them [to retirements] over the last few years. We're the last bunch of OGs, we can say that. I will be marking this as my date of having played at this level.

"Obviously there are a lot of people to thank, but I will be failing in my duties if I didn't thank the BCCI and fellow team-mates."

The off-spinner ends his illustrious Test career as India's second-highest wicket-taker, with 537 wickets at an impressive average of 24 from 106 matches. He trails only Anil Kumble, who finished with 619 wickets in 132 Tests.

With Ashwin no longer a consistent pick for India’s overseas fixtures and the next Test series being an away tour of England, he would have been 39 by the time India’s next home season rolled around.

Beyond his bowling achievements, Ashwin also excelled with the bat, amassing 3503 Test runs, including six centuries and 14 half-centuries.

This feat places him among an elite group of 11 all-rounders with over 3000 runs and 300 wickets in Tests. Additionally, Ashwin claimed a record 11 Player-of-the-Series awards, tied with Muttiah Muralitharan.