“You are a true OG” - Rohit Sharma’s heartfelt post for retiring R Ashwin after BGT 2024-25 3rd Test
India's ODI and Test captain Rohit Sharma took to social media to share a heartfelt message for legendary spinner Ravichandran Ashwin, who bid farewell to international cricket following the conclusion of the third Test of the 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
On Day 5 of the third Test (Wednesday, December 18), during the rain break, Ashwin and Virat Kohli were seen engaged in an emotional conversation, sparking speculation about Ashwin's retirement. After the match, during the post-game conference, Ashwin joined Rohit Sharma and officially announced his retirement.
To honor the remarkable career of the Tamil Nadu cricketer, Rohit took to Instagram, sharing a heartfelt message in which he called Ashwin a legend of world cricket and expressed that the team would miss the 38-year-old. Rohit wrote:
“We've played together for so many years and created so many memories which I'll cherish forever. You've been a match-winner since match 1 & left a lasting impression on all the young bowlers coming through the ranks. I'm sure we'll have a lot of upcoming young people with the classic Ashwin action.”
“You are a true OG & legend of Indian Cricket & World Cricket and this team will miss having you. Wishing the best to you & your lovely family for what lies ahead,” Sharma added.
The second Test (pink-ball) of the 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy, held at Adelaide Oval, where Ashwin claimed one wicket and scored 29 runs, marked his final appearance for India.
“A true match winner that India has ever seen” - Rohit Sharma on R Ashwin
During the post-game conference following the third Test, Rohit Sharma acknowledged R Ashwin's significant contributions to Indian cricket. He mentioned that they had been playing together for many years and that Ashwin was one of the true match-winners India had ever seen. Rohit said:
"I've played cricket with Ash since under 17; he was an opener batsman then, and then a few years later, we all disappeared, and then suddenly I'm hearing news about Tamil Nadu R Ashwin taking five wickets, seven wickets, and I was wondering who this guy is because I played him as a batsman and then suddenly he's turned out to be a bowler who's taking fifers and then obviously, you know at international cricket we met again, and then we had a long long journey together.”
“Since 2010… so it's been a long time playing together, we all know what he's done for this team. So I don't need to repeat it again and again, but a true match winner that India has ever seen, you know, one of the true match winners that India has ever seen in the form of his Ashwin, you know, whenever there was a crisis we had to look upon Ash, and then he was there to deliver for us so his records speak for itself as well,” Rohit added.
Ashwin ended his career as India's second-leading wicket-taker across all formats, with 765 wickets (537 in Tests, 156 in ODIs, and 72 in T20Is) from 287 matches, trailing only Anil Kumble, who took 953 wickets in 401 games.