Tributes poured in for Ravichandran Ashwin after the Indian off-spinner announced his retirement from international cricket at the age of 38.
After a sensational career with the national team, during which he became India’s seventh highest wicket-taker, Ashwin announced that he would step down from his Indian Test role after the Gabba Test this week.
During a 14-year spell with India, Ashwin took 537 wickets at an average of 24 across 106 Tests. His figures are equally impressive in ODI cricket, with 156 wickets in 116 matches.
But in 2019, Ashwin sparked a storm of controversy after he controversially dismissed Jos Buttler during an IPL match while playing for Kings XI Punjab.
Fans online lashed out at Ashwin after he ‘mankaded’ the England star, with the late Australian cricket legend Shane Warne taking to Twitter to hit out at Ashwin’s decision.
A year later, he returned to brief the rest of the IPL, after giving Aaron Finch a ‘first and final warning’ by choosing not to deflate the Australian batsman during a match between Delhi Capitals and Royal Challengers Bangalore.
Ravichandran Ashwin (centre) has announced he will retire from Test cricket after the Brisbane Test this week
Australian great Aaron Finch (pictured) paid tribute to Ashwin after his retirement decision
But paying tribute to the legendary Indian bowler, Finch remembered the moment and revealed a hilarious and heartwarming moment that the couple shared after the match.
“Ah, what a player he has been for Inda for so long,” Finch said 7Cricket.
“He’s someone who was an incredible competitor on the field, but on the field he would love to sit with you and talk cricket for hours.
“I had the pleasure of playing IPL with him and spending a lot of time playing absolute cricket [nut] I am.
“Overall, his contribution and achievements speak for themselves. The number of wickets and runs he has… It’s just unbelievable.
“It’s quite funny… because I think he scared Jos Buttler away before that mankadding incident in the IPL, and then I did it.
“And then he came out after the game and said, ‘I’m not letting my friends run away!’
“I was very grateful for that,” he added with a laugh.
He also took to Instagram to thank Aswin for not catching him during an IPL match
Finch had also posted a picture of the moment on his Instagram story, showing the moment Ashwin decided not to punch him after Finch had come a few yards out of his crease.
‘One of the careers of all time!!! Congratulations @rashwin99! It was a pleasure playing with and against you! PS: Thank you for not sending me away this day!’ He captioned the photo.
Tributes have poured in for Ashwin from across the cricketing world, with his long-time captain Virat Kohli thanking his teammate.
“I played with you for fourteen years and when you told me today that you’re retiring, I got a little emotional and the flashbacks of all those years of playing together came flooding back to me.
‘I loved every part of the journey with you, Ash. Your skills and match-winning contributions to Indian cricket are unparalleled and you will always be remembered as a legend of Indian cricket.
“I wish you nothing but the best in your life with your family and everything else that unfolds for you along the way.
‘With great respect and love for you and your loved ones. Thanks for everything buddy.”
Australian captain Pat Cummins labeled Ashwin ‘one of the all-time greats’.
Ashwin courted controversy after bringing Jos Buttler back into the IPL in 2019
Tributes have poured in from across the cricketing world for Ashwin, who took 537 wickets during his Test career
“He’s obviously a fantastic player all over the world,” Cummins said. ‘There are not many finger spinners that have such a long lifespan.
‘There is enormous respect from our dressing room for the career he has had.’
Michael Vaughan wrote to
AB de Villiers was another to pay tribute to the India spinner: “I always enjoyed our fights and have so much respect for you. You have always been a great competitor, and an exceptional cricketer. Congratulations on an incredible career, @ashwinravi99. Good luck for the future!’