[Watch] "The cricket nut in me will never come to an end" - Emotional Ravichandran Ashwin addresses teammates after announcing retirement
India legend Ravichandran Ashwin addressed his teammates after announcing his retirement from international cricket after the Gabba Test on Wednesday, December 18. Ashwin spoke at length, thanking his teammates and also reminiscing his first tour to Australia.
Ravichandran Ashwin called it a day as India's second-highest wicket-taker in international cricket. As far as Tests are concerned, he played 106 matches, picking up 537 wickets with a career-best of 7/59, alongside 37 five wickets hauls and six centuries with the bat. Only Anil Kumble (619) picked up more Test wickets for India than the 38-year-old.
Ashwin was accompanied by Indian skipper Rohit Sharma when he made the big announcement during the post-match press conference in Brisbane. In a video uploaded by the BCCI, the off-spinner can be seen addressing his teammates in the dressing room.
He said:
"I don't know how to go about this honestly. I mean it is easier to speak in the team huddle. Even though I am not exhibiting it, it is truly an emotional moment for me. I feel like just now I was here in the 2011-12 Australian tour where I saw the transition that Rahul bhai left, Sachin paaji left. But trust me guys, everyone's time comes.
"I have thoroughly enjoyed it, built some great friendships and relationships over the last 4-5 years notably and I am leaving behind some of my teammates whom I played with. Every time in the last four years I have felt how much more I value their relationship and how much more I value them as a player."
Ashwin later added that he would be flying back to India, and said he would continue to watch the team closely. He said:
"I had a great time, I will be taking a flight back home but I will be tuned in to watch how well you guys will go in Melbourne. The Indian cricketer, 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 into each one of your performances and all the very best. If at all you need anything, I am just a call away. Thanks, Rohit, Thanks Virat, Thanks Gauti bhai. So happy to be here."
Yashasvi Jaiswal, sitting beside Ashwin in the dressing room, admitted being in disbelief after listening to the announcement. He said:
"Mai abhi tak realise nahi kar paa raha hoon yaar (I'm not yet able to realise it)."
Here's the video:
Ravichandran Ashwin's career in numbers
In an international career that started in 2010, Ravichandran Ashwin played 287 matches, scoring 4394 runs and picking up 765 wickets across formats. He made his ODI debut against Sri Lanka followed by his T20I debut a week later.
In 2011, Ashwin made his Test debut, picking up nine wickets and winning the Player of the Match award.
Ashwin last represented Team India in T20Is in the 2022 men's T20 World Cup semifinal against England. His last ODI was against Australia in Team India's opening 2023 men's ODI World Cup match.
After missing out on the first Test of the ongoing series, Ashwin was selected for the second Test at the Adelaide Oval, where he scored 22 and 7 with the bat and picked up the solitary wicket of Mitchell Marsh.