For over a decade, Indian cricket icon Ravichandran Ashwin’s name has made it to the headlines, mostly for his exploits with the ball — and occasionally with the bat — but on Wednesday, December 18, he not only made the top news, but also sent shockwaves across the fraternity by announcing a shock retirement as an international cricketer with immediate effect.
This retirement saw the end of a sensational international career, ending a glorious chapter in the country’s cricket history.
Right after the maverick offspinner hung his boots, Ashwin shared the names of people who called him. The list included the names of his father and two cricket heroes of India — Sachin Tendulkar and Kapil Dev.
Thanking Tendulkar and Dev, Ashwin wrote on Instagram: “If someone told me 25 years ago that I would have a smartphone with me and the call log on the last day of my career as an Indian cricketer would look like this, I would have had a heart attack then only. Thanks @sachin_rt and @therealkapildev paaji #blessed.”
Earlier, Tendulkar had also posted his remark on X following Ashwin’s announcement where he said he admired the spinning icon for his approach towards the game.
“Ashwin, I’ve always admired how you approached the game with your mind and heart in perfect sync. From perfecting the carrom ball to contributing crucial runs, you always found a way to win. Watching you grow from a promising talent to one of India’s finest match-winners has been wonderful. Your journey shows that true greatness lies in never being afraid to experiment and evolve. Your legacy will inspire one and all. Wishing you all the very best for your 2nd innings,” Sachin Tendulkar wrote on X.
Ashwin, who picked up 765 international wickets, remains one of the greatest names in Indian cricket.
