Ravichandran Ashwin has announced his retirement from international cricket with immediate effect, after the conclusion of third Test on Wednesday.
The off-spinner made the announcement during a post-match conference flanked by captain Rohit Sharma.
“This will be my last day as an Indian cricketer in all formats at the international level,” said and emotional Ashwin.
“I do feel there’s a bit of punch left in me as a cricketer, but I would like to express that and probably showcase that in club-level cricket, but this will be the last day [for India].
“I’ve had a lot of fun. I must say I have created a lot of memories alongside Rohit [Sharma] and several of my other team-mates, even though I have lost some of them [from the India team] over the last few years. We’re the last bunch of OGs, if we can say that, left out in the dressing room, and I will be marking this as my date of having played at this level.”
Ashwin thanked his fellow cricketers Rohit, Virat Kohli, Ajinkya Rahane, and Cheteshwar Pujara for their support both on and off the field throughout his career.
“Also a big thank you to the Australian cricket team, who have been very fierce competitors. I have enjoyed my time playing against them.”
Ashwin confirmed that he would be staying connected to the game, and possibly not just as a cricketer in the IPL (he is part of Chennai Super Kings now) or in the TNPL (Dindigul Dragons).
