Ravichandran Ashwin has been the backbone of this Indian Cricket Team’s success in Test Cricket for the past decade or so. The heights the Indian Test team reached under Kohli’s captaincy wouldn’t have been possible if not for Ashwin showing his mastery of the ball day in and day out. And so when the man with the 2nd highest number of wickets for India in Test Matches, with 509 scalps to his name told, Virat Kohli about his decision to retire in the dressing room during the ongoing Gabba test, no wonder the cameras captured the two Indian greats sharing a very emotional hug.
Ravichandran Ashwin is the only player alongside Ian Botham to have had three or more instances where he picked up 5 wicket hauls while scoring a century in the same innings of a test match. This shows Ashwin’s prowess not only as a bowler but as a very handy all-rounder as well. The Indian legend also holds the record for the most number of Player Of The Series awards in Test matches, further showing his greatness.
Ashwin also ranks second for the most 5-wicket hauls in a Test inning with 37 such matchballs to his name. But above all these stats and records, it was his act of bailing out India on so many occasions in the past that has made him a true great of the sport. Arguably India’s greatest player barring Sachin Tendulkar and Virat Kohli ever. And the fact that he is an off-spinner makes it even more crazy.
Ravichandran Ashwin Announces Retirement After Brisbane Test
After the 3rd Test In the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy was drawn after a washed-out game, Ravichandran Ashwin announced his decision to retire from international cricket in the post-match press conference.
Ashwin stated, “This will be my last day as an Indian cricketer in all formats at the international level. I do feel there’s a bit of punch left in me as a cricketer, but I would like to express that and probably showcase that in club-level cricket, but this will be the last day.”
India’s number 99 further commented, “I’ve had a lot of fun. I must say I have created a lot of memories alongside Rohit and several of my other team-mates, even though I have lost some of them [from the India team] over the last few years. We’re the last bunch of OGs, if we can say that, left out in the dressing room, and I will be marking this as my date of having played at this level.”
The man with 765 international wickets for India further expressed, “Obviously there are a lot of people to thank, but I would be failing in my duties if I didn’t thank the BCCI and the fellow team-mates. Several of them. I want to name a few of them. All the coaches who have been part of the journey. Most importantly, Rohit, Virat [Kohli], Ajinkya [Rahane], [Cheteshwar] Pujara, who have taken those splendid catches around the bat to give me the number of wickets I’ve managed to get over the years.”
For all that he has done for Indian Cricket, one thing is for sure. That Ravichandran Ashwin will never be forgotten.
