Legendary Sachin Tendulkar hailed off spinner Ravichandran Ashwin as one of India’s greatest match-winners. Sachin took to Twitter to pen a heartfelt note for Ashwin, after the spinner announced his shock retirement after the conclusion of the Gabba Test on Wednesday, 18 December.
Ashwin was spotted shedding tears in the dressing room alongside Virat Kohli and officially announced his decision in the post match press conference alongside Rohit Sharma. The spinner said that he would address questions about his retirement later on.
“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 Twitter.
Ashwin is often referred to as one of the most prolific and versatile cricketers in Indian cricket history. His career, which spanned over a decade, was marked by numerous achievements and contributions that significantly impacted India’s performance in international cricket.
Ashwin made his Test debut in 2011 against the West Indies and quickly established himself as a key component of India’s bowling attack. His ability to take wickets on various surfaces, especially on the turning tracks of the Indian subcontinent, was unparalleled. He holds the record for the most wickets by an Indian bowler in a four-Test series against Australia, with 29 wickets, and was instrumental in several series victories, including the historic 4-0 win against Australia in 2013 and the 3-1 win against England in 2021.