‘Flashbacks of all those years came’
As rain poured in Brisbane and the final day of the third India vs Australia Test seemed to be heading for a draw at the Gabba, the camera panned at the Indian team’s dressing room.
R Ashwin and Virat Kohli seemed to be having an emotional conversation. At the end of it, Kohli reached out and hugged Ashwin. He later explained in an X post why he had gotten emotional.
After the Test was called off, Ashwin headed to the press conference with Rohit Sharma and announced his retirement from Test cricket.
🫂💙🇮🇳
Emotional moments from the Indian dressing room 🥹#AUSvINDOnStar #BorderGavaskarTrophy #Ashwin #ViratKohli pic.twitter.com/92a4NqNsyP
— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) December 18, 2024
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Kohli then posted an emotional message for Ashwin on his X handle.
“I’ve played with you for 14 years and when you told me today you’re retiring, it made me a bit emotional and the flashbacks of all those years playing together came to me. I’ve enjoyed every bit of the journey with you Ash, your skill and match winning contributions to Indian cricket are second to none and you will always and always be remembered as a legend of Indian cricket. Wish you nothing but the best in your life with your family and everything else that it unfolds for you. With massive respect and lots of love to you and your close ones. Thanks for everything buddy,” posted Kohli.
READ MORE: As R Ashwin retires, here are the top 15 records of India’s premier match-winner
Ashwin will continue to feature in franchise cricket. He was picked his first Indian Premier League team, Chennai Super Kings, for a Rs 9.75 crore price tag in the IPL 2025 Mega Auction last month.
Ashwin drew curtains to a 14-year-long career, during which he finished as India’s second-highest Test wicket-taker, with 537 scalps in 106 Tests.
The 38-year-old Tamil Nadu spinner bagged 37 Test five-fors for the Indian cricket team, only second to Muttiah Muralidaran (67).
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