Ravichandran Ashwin Delivers Emotional Farewell Speech After Announcing Retirement
Brisbane (Australia), December 18: Ravichandran Ashwin, the legendary Indian spinner, bid farewell to international cricket in an emotional speech at The Gabba in Brisbane. After announcing his retirement from the international stage, Ashwin expressed his willingness to support his fellow teammates and made it clear that he would always be just a call away for anyone who needs help.
The announcement took many by surprise when Ashwin walked out alongside India’s captain, Rohit Sharma, signaling the end of his illustrious cricketing career. The emotional moment was made even more poignant when a camera captured Ashwin sharing a heartfelt exchange with Virat Kohli on the final day of the Test match. Kohli’s embrace made it evident that something significant was about to unfold.
In a video shared by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), Ashwin spoke of the emotional weight of the moment. “I don’t know how to go about this honestly… It is truly a very emotional moment for me. It feels just like 2011-12 when I toured here, my first Australian tour and I saw a transition. Rahul (Dravid) bhai left, Sachin (Tendulkar) paaji left. Trust me guys, everybody’s time comes and today was truly my time,” Ashwin reflected, recalling how he witnessed the departure of greats in the past.
Ashwin went on to confirm that although he would be returning home, he would continue to follow the team’s progress. “I will be taking a flight back home but will tune in to see how well you guys do in Melbourne. The international cricketer in me might have come to an end, but the cricket nut in me will never come to an end. I will be looking forward to each one of your performances and all the very best. For all you guys, if you need anything, I am just a call away,” Ashwin added.
Ashwin’s retirement marks the end of an era in red-ball cricket. Making his Test debut in 2011 against the West Indies, Ashwin quickly became one of the game’s finest spinners. Throughout his career, he played 106 Tests, claiming an impressive 537 wickets, including 37 five-wicket hauls, and scoring 3,503 runs. Ashwin’s formidable record includes 115 wickets in 23 matches against Australia, with an economy rate of 2.71.
The 38-year-old is also the record-holder for most wickets taken in a single Border-Gavaskar Trophy series, having picked up 29 wickets in the 2020-21 edition. He is India’s second-highest wicket-taker in Tests, a feat that underscores his exceptional contributions to the game.
While Ashwin’s international cricket career has come to a close, his love for the sport remains undiminished, and his legacy will continue to inspire future generations.
