Debasis Sen in Brisbane
Ravichandran Ashwin, India’s legendary off-spinner, announced his retirement from international cricket on Wednesday, after the third Test between Australia and India ended in a draw at the Gabba. The decision to retire mid-way through the series came as a surprise for most of the travelling media. With Ashwin calling it a day, it also brought the curtains down on a glorious international career that spanned nearly a decade and a half. Now, the current team features only Virat Kohli, of those who were part of the 2011 World Cup-winning side.
“It will be my last day as an Indian cricketer in all formats at the international level,” said Ashwin in a brief speech while seated next to captain Rohit Sharma in the press conference room. “I do feel that there is a bit of punch left in me as a cricketer but I would like to showcase that in club level cricket. I’ve had a lot of fun and I’ve created a lot of memories alongside Rohit and several of my other teammates. It’s truly a very emotional moment … it’s a game that’s given me everything.”
With the two remaining Test matches slated to take place at the Melbourne Cricket Ground and Sydney Cricket Ground, venues which typically offer help to the spinners, Ashwin’s decision was a bigger surprise. For me, Ashwin will be remembered as India’s biggest match-winner with the ball since he made his debut against the West Indies in Delhi in 2011. The way he carried himself both on and off the field also stood out, having covered most of the 106 Tests he played, both at home and on overseas tours.
With Washington Sundar, his Tamil Nadu teammate, tipped to play in both Melbourne and Sydney, the veteran spinner knew the writing was on the wall. He left for Chennai from Brisbane on Wednesday night itself.
Ashwin’s dedication and commitment to the sport was unparalleled. He has always prepared himself in a manner to outwit the opposition. In the optional practice session a day ahead of the pink-ball Test in Adelaide, he was seen taking a stance wide of the crease in a bid to prepare against the likes of Mitchell Starc coming round the wicket, and Pat Cummins angling the ball into the right-hand batters.
He was always there for his teammates, especially the youngsters, every time they approached him for his guidance. Gautam Gambhir, the head coach, had a long chat at the Adelaide Oval before the pink-ball Test, indicative of the mutual respect they shared.
His contribution in the only Test he played in the ongoing series was underwhelming, as he picked up just one wicket giving away 53 runs. Much to his disappointment, he did not get a chance to bowl in the second innings as the home team cruised to victory. In the first Test in Perth, Sundar was preferred over him, and he was overlooked for Ravindra Jadeja in Brisbane.
As Ashwin bids farewell to international cricket, I want to recall a small incident from this tour. It happened at the end of an optional practice session at the Adelaide Oval, a day before the Indian team was scheduled to travel to Brisbane. As he walked back to the team hotel after training, Ashwin stopped to offer me chocolate. Coming from someone of his stature, who had taken 537 Test wickets for India, it was a very special moment. And finally, it was quite emotional too when he did not hesitate to pose for a photograph with me as he left the press conference at the Gabba. Thank you, Ravichandran Ashwin, for what you did for Indian cricket.
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