 "India skipper Rohit Sharma and batter Virat Kohli (Not in photo) were among those to pay tribute to R Ashwin, who retired from international cricket on Wednesday. PTI image")
India captain Rohit Sharma and senior batter Virat Kohli led the tributes to Ravichandran Ashwin, who bid an emotional farewell from international cricket on Wednesday. Ashwin announced his decision to retire from international cricket after the third Test between Australia and India in Brisbane ended in a draw on Wednesday. Rohit revealed how Ashwin came to the decision of retiring from international cricket.
“Speaking about Ash, he was very very sure about this decision. I heard this when I came to Perth. Obviously, I was not there for the first three or four days of the Test match, but this was on his mind since then. There are obviously a lot of things that went behind it; I’m pretty sure, Ash, when he went in position, will be able to answer that,” Rohit said at the post-match press conference.
“He understands what the team is thinking. He understands what kind of combinations we are thinking of. When we came here as well, we were not sure about which spinner was going to play. We just wanted to assess and see what kind of conditions we get in front of us, But yeah, when I arrived in Perth, this was a chat we had, and I somehow convinced him to stay for that pink ball Test,” added Rohit.
“It just happened so that if you know where he felt that, ‘if I’m not needed right now in the series, I’m better off. Saying goodbye to the game, but obviously, we’ve not been to Melbourne yet, so we don’t know what sort of conditions we expect there and what sort of combination, but just keeping Ash in particularly in mind, giving him that respect that this if this is what he thinks, we should allow him to think that way and we should all stand by,” Rohit elaborated.
Rohit termed Ashwin as a “big match winner”. On multiple occasion, Ashwin has taken India out of trouble and played game-changing roles with both bat and ball. “He is a big match-winner for us. He is allowed to make those decisions on his own, and if it was now, so be it. He looks a very witty character, as you saw in his press conference. He is a very funny guy, there’s no doubt about that,” said Rohit.
Impact Shorts
More ShortsVirat Kohli penned an emotional note for Ashwin on “X”. There was speculation surrounding Ashwin’s retirement after a video of the spinner hugging Virat Kohli in the dressing room went viral on Wednesday.
“I’ve played with you for 14 years and when you told me today you’re retiring, it made me a bit emotional and the flashbacks of all those years playing together came to me.
“I’ve enjoyed every bit of the journey with you ash, your skill and match winning contributions to Indian cricket are second to none and you will always and always be remembered as a legend of Indian cricket. Wish you nothing but the best in your life with your family and everything else that it unfolds for you. With massive respect and lots of love to you and your close ones. Thanks for everything buddy,” wrote Kohli.
Former India head coach Ravi Shastri and current head coach Gautam Gambhir were among the others to congratulate Ashwin on his 14-year international career. Here are more reactions:
Master Blaster Sachin Tendulkar recalled how Ashwin took India to safety from the toughest of situations.
Rohit Sharma later took to social media to thank Ashwin and so did Rishabh Pant.
Ashwin, who made his India debut in 2010, played 106 Tests, 116 ODIs and 65 T20Is for India, scoring over 4,000 runs and taking more than 500 wickets.