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In a heartfelt moment captured on Day 5 of the third Test between India and Australia at Brisbane, Virat Kohli was seen hugging Ravichandran Ashwin in the dressing room during the tea break. The duo had been engaged in a serious conversation, their faces reflecting the weight of the discussion, before Kohli reached out for an emotional hug. This moment, which seemed to be filled with a mix of respect, camaraderie, and perhaps some unspoken words, was captured on camera and quickly went viral, sparking discussions across the cricketing world.
Shortly after the emotional gesture, Ashwin made an unexpected announcement that left fans and teammates in shock. In a press conference, the legendary off-spinner revealed his decision to retire from international cricket. His decision to retire marked the end of an era for Indian cricket, and the timing seemed poignant, coming as it did during a historic Border-Gavaskar series.
Ashwin, who has been a key figure for India in Test cricket, especially in home conditions, had made his mark in the ongoing series despite facing challenges. In the second Test in Adelaide, Ashwin had a modest performance, picking up just one wicket. He contributed with the bat as well, scoring 22 and seven runs in the two innings, but it was evident that his role in the team was slowly changing. Ravindra Jadeja, a more dynamic all-rounder, had replaced Ashwin in the third Test, with Washington Sundar being selected for the series opener in Perth.
Ashwin’s performance, although respectable, was often seen through the lens of India’s growing emphasis on pace bowlers, particularly in the SENA (South Africa, England, New Zealand, Australia) countries where conditions typically favor faster bowlers over spinners. Despite his ability to take wickets and his consistency, Ashwin struggled to make a similar impact in these countries as Australia’s premier spinner Nathan Lyon, who often dominated the conditions with his spin. However, Ashwin’s prowess in India, where his spin bowling is a significant weapon, remains unquestioned. He has consistently been India’s first-choice spinner in subcontinental conditions.
Ravichandran Ashwin’s career has been nothing short of remarkable. With 537 wickets in 106 Test matches, he is India’s second-highest wicket-taker in Tests, only behind the legendary Anil Kumble, who has 619 wickets. In total, Ashwin has taken 765 wickets in 287 matches across all formats, making him one of the most successful bowlers in international cricket history. His retirement marks the end of a distinguished chapter for Indian cricket.
While Ashwin’s future in international cricket is now behind him, he continues to be an active player in the Indian Premier League (IPL), where he recently reunited with his former franchise, Chennai Super Kings. With his IPL career still going strong, Ashwin might be looking to close out his playing days in front of his home crowd, finishing what has been a stellar career at the top level of competitive cricket.
Ashwin’s announcement of his retirement was strikingly similar to the retirement of former India captain MS Dhoni during the 2014-15 tour of Australia. Dhoni’s decision to retire mid-series came as a surprise to many, but it also signaled the end of another illustrious chapter in Indian cricket. Both players’ retirements came amid tough tours, where their contributions, though often overshadowed by the challenges of foreign conditions, were integral to the team’s strategy.
As Ashwin takes his final bow from international cricket, the cricketing community is left to reflect on his tremendous legacy. His retirement also serves as a reminder of the passage of time for some of India’s biggest stars, including Kohli and captain Rohit Sharma. Both players are also thought to be playing their last Test series in Australia, adding to the emotional weight of the moment for Indian cricket fans.
Ashwin’s departure from international cricket, along with the potential end of other stalwarts’ careers, marks the close of one of India’s most successful generations. However, his legacy in Test cricket will undoubtedly endure, with his name etched among the greatest spinners to have ever graced the game. As Kohli’s embrace with Ashwin symbolized a bond beyond cricket, it will remain a poignant memory of a remarkable career and a beautiful friendship within the sport.
