Ravichandran Ashwin retires: Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli lead tributes — 'Big-match winner,' 'Legend of Indian cricket'

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.

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Virat 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.

🫂💙🇮🇳

Emotional moments from the Indian dressing room 🥹#AUSvINDOnStar #BorderGavaskarTrophy #Ashwin #ViratKohli pic.twitter.com/92a4NqNsyP

— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) December 18, 2024

“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.

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… pic.twitter.com/QGQ2Z7pAgc

— Virat Kohli (@imVkohli) December 18, 2024

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:

Hey Ash, congratulations on a magnificent career, old boy. You were an invaluable asset during my tenure as coach and enriched the game immensely with your skill and craft. God bless. @ashwinravi99 @BCCI @ICC #Ashwin #AUSvsIND pic.twitter.com/ZLelKjmEdu

— Ravi Shastri (@RaviShastriOfc) December 18, 2024

The privilege of seeing you grow from a young bowler to a legend of modern cricket is something that I wouldn’t trade for the world! I know that generations of bowlers to come will say that I became a bowler coz of Ashwin! U will be missed brother! ❤️ @ashwinravi99 pic.twitter.com/fuATAjE8aw

— Gautam Gambhir (@GautamGambhir) December 18, 2024

Take a bow, Ashwin bro! 🏏 Your magic with the ball, sharp cricketing mind, and unmatched passion for Test cricket will forever be etched in our hearts. Thank you for giving us countless moments of joy and pride. Wishing you all the best for your next chapter! 🙌❤️ #Ashwin… pic.twitter.com/5jBuHusPn2

— Suresh Raina🇮🇳 (@ImRaina) December 18, 2024

a GOAT retires

Well done on what's been an outstanding career . Proud to have played with you and definitely the greatest ever to have played from TAMILNADU. @ashwinravi99

Much love and enjoy some leisurely time with family and friends ❤️#INDvAUS #ashwin#legend

— DK (@DineshKarthik) December 18, 2024

Must admit to being a bit emotional today. #Ashwin

— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) December 18, 2024

Thank you Ravi Ashwin. Glad you came, and that you were a part of the international game for so long, with such excellence. You taught, you educated and you entertained🙏🏽.

— Ian Raphael Bishop (@irbishi) December 18, 2024

Sharpest cricketing brain and very skilled bowler. For me R Ashwin is the greatest Indian off-spinner, true Test all-rounder and a modern day great. Somehow I feel he deserved a much better farewell. @ashwinravi99

— Mohammad Kaif (@MohammadKaif) December 18, 2024

Master Blaster Sachin Tendulkar recalled how Ashwin took India to safety from the toughest of situations.

Ashwin, I’ve always admired how you approached the game with your mind and heart in perfect sync. From perfecting the carrom ball to contributing crucial runs, you always found a way to win.
Watching you grow from a promising talent to one of India’s finest match-winners has been… pic.twitter.com/XawHfacaUh

— Sachin Tendulkar (@sachin_rt) December 18, 2024

Rohit Sharma later took to social media to thank Ashwin and so did Rishabh Pant.

A true legend of the game. It’s been amazing sharing the field with you, learning from your craft and witnessing your greatness. Wishing you the best in all that lies ahead! 🙏
C’mon Ash..C’mon Ash Forever. 🙌❤️#RP17 @ashwinravi99 pic.twitter.com/Xf0okN9NpT

— Rishabh Pant (@RishabhPant17) December 18, 2024

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.