Virat Kohli and Ravichandran Ashwin witnessed a very emotional moment after Ashwin has announced his retirement from International cricket after the third border Gavaskar trophy test ended at the Gabba in Brisbane on December 18. As India’s openers were batting on day five, including Yashasvi Jaiswal and KL Rahul, Kohli was interacting with Ashwin. Their conversation ended with an embrace, signifying the bonhomie and respect they carry both on and off the field.
Ashwin made his retirement announcement after the Test was forced to a draw on account of rain. The 38-year-old spinner accompanied India captain Rohit Sharma at the post-match press conference where Ashwin broke the news emotionally to the world. Ending, as it were, on a decisive note, Ashwin spoke to the media saying, “This will be my last day as an Indian cricketer in all formats at the international level.” Despite feeling that “a bit of punch left in me as a cricketer,” Ashwin decided that he was done with the game at the international level, preferring to continue his career at the club level.
He reflected on his illustrious career, which lasted over a decade, and shared the fond memories he had alongside his journey. “I’ve had a lot of fun. I’ve created a lot of memories alongside Rohit and several of my other teammates. Even though I’ve lost some of them over the last few years, we are the last bunch of OGs, if we can say that, left out in the dressing room.”. I would be marking this as my date of having played at this level,” Ashwin said, his voice charged with emotion.
This ends an era of legend for Indian cricket as Ashwin announced his retirement. Ashwin retires as the leading wicket-taker for India in Tests and also is the overall leader among active cricketers in the format. Ashwin was the quickest to reach 350 Test wickets and also had the joint-most Player of the Series awards, at 11, in the red-ball format-a record that he shares with Sri Lanka’s Muttiah Muralidaran.
He has been one of the most respected cricketers in the Indian team: Ashwin’s retirement ends a career replete with excellence, resilience, and contribution to Indian cricket. Emotional in his farewell was Ashwin’s testament to impact he left on the game and the teammates, where Virat Kohli would be spotted to offer a great hug while Ashwin waved goodbye to international cricket.