Ravichandran Ashwin will not feature for India in the final two Test matches of the series, scheduled to be held at the MCG and SCG, as he has announced his retirement from all forms of international cricket. In the Gabba Test, which ended in a draw, Ashwin was not included in India’s XI. His final appearance for India was in Adelaide, where Australia triumphed over India in the pink-ball Test.
India captain Rohit Sharma disclosed that Ashwin had been thinking about retirement from the start of the series, as he learned about it when he arrived in Perth. He also managed to convince the star player to participate in the pink-ball Test.
Rohit’s remarks on retirement
“If a player has choice, he has to be given that choice. Ashwin is allowed to make those decisions. We have to respect it. He was sure about it. I heard this when I came to Perth. This was in his mind since then. I somehow convinced him to stay for the pink ball test. He felt if I am not needed, it’s better to say goodbye,” said Rohit Sharma in the post-match press conference.
“We have played our cricket since under 17 days. Then we disappeared. Then after a few years I heard this boy Ashwin taking fivers afters fifers for Tamil Nadu. A true matchwinner in every sense. Whenever we were in crisis, we went to Ashwin,” Rohit added while talking about Ashwin.
🗣️ "I've had a lot of fun and created a lot of memories."
All-rounder R Ashwin reflects after bringing the curtain down on a glorious career 👌👌#TeamIndia | #ThankYouAshwin | @ashwinravi99 pic.twitter.com/dguzbaousg
— BCCI (@BCCI) December 18, 2024
Ashwin on calling it a career.
“This will be my last day as an Indian cricket in all formats of the game at the international level. I do feel there is a bit of punch left in me in a cricketer. I would like to showcase that in club-level cricket. So this will be my last day. I have had a lot of fun. I must say I’ve created a lot of memories alongside Rohitt and several of my teammates,” Ashwin said at the press conference.
“Obviously, there are a lot of people to thank. But, I would be failing in my duty if I didn’t thank the BCCI and the rest of the teammates. I want to name a few of them and all the coaches — Rohit, Virat, Ajinkya and Pujara who have taken all those catches in the slips to help me get those wickets. Also a big thank you to the Australian cricket team. They have been very fierce competitors. I have enjoyed playing alongside them. I won’t be taking any questions, but certainly, it’s a very emotional moment,” he added.
Ashwin, who will be remembered as one of the best all-rounders to wear the Indian jersey, has taken 765 international wickets and is the second-highest wicket-taker for India at the highest level, after Anil Kumble. Ashwin has taken 537 wickets in Tests, 156 in ODIs, and 72 in T20Is. He also scored 4394 runs with 6 centuries and 15 fifties.
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Jasir Basharat is a cricket enthusiast capturing the heart of the game through insightful analysis and storytelling sharing his passion for the sport through engaging narratives. He is a business graduate from University of Kashmir.
