Prime Minister Narendra Modi has congratulated off-spin maestro Ravichandran Ashwin on his illustrious career who retired from international cricket. The PM said the latter's "jersey no. 99 will be sorely missed" in the cricket field.
Ashwin concluded his 14-year international career following the Gabba Test's draw. He has left behind a rich legacy, as one of India's greatest match-winners. His last game for India was the day-night Test against Australia in Adelaide where he took 1-53 in his 18 overs and had 29 runs with his bat.
In his letter, PM Modi described Ashwin’s retirement as a surprising twist and equated it to an unexpected carrom ball instead of the anticipated off-breaks.
The announcement of your retirement from international cricket shocked fans in India and the world. And at a time when all of us were looking for many more off-breaks, you gave everyone a carrom ball that bowled them over, but everyone also understands that it must have been a difficult decision for you as well, especially after the fantastic career you've had playing for India, the letter read.
"Please accept my heartiest congratulations on a career that has been full of brilliance, hard work and putting the team above everything else.
"As you bid farewell to international cricket, jersey number 99 will be sorely missed.". Cricket fans would miss the promise that crept in whenever you started bowling from the crease - there was always an instinctive feeling that you were spinning a web around the opposition, which would catch a prey anytime. You had a freak knack of outsmarting even the best batsmen with just simple old off-spin as well as creative variations, depending upon the situation, said the letter.
Ashwin’s international career began in 2010 when he debuted in ODIs against Sri Lanka. A year later, he made his Test debut against the West Indies. Over 106 Tests, 116 ODIs, and 65 T20Is, he claimed 765 wickets across all formats.
Each one of the 765 international wickets you took in all formats was special. The record for the highest number of Player of the Series awards in Test matches only shows what you did to the team over the last many years.".
"As a young prospect, you took a five-wicket haul on Test debut and went on to be part of the ODI World Cup-winning team in 2011. By the time you bowled the team to victory in the last over of the Champions Trophy in 2013, you were an important part of the team.". Later, you were the senior in the team, playing a very crucial role by winning through multiple victories in all formats of the game. Being the ICC Cricketer of the Year, you have also won international acclaim and universal respect," the letter read.
Ashwin played a key role in India's 12-year home dominance and the 2020/21 Border-Gavaskar Trophy win in Australia. He is one of 11 all-rounders with 3000 Test runs and 300 wickets and shares the record for 11 Player-of-the-Series awards with Muttiah Muralitharan.
“You have showcased your all-round prowess by scoring a century and taking five wickets in the same match many times. With the bat in hand, too, you have given our nation many memories, including the brave match-saving innings in Sydney in 2021.
Often people are remembered for some wonderful shot that they played. But you have the unique distinction of being remembered for both a shot and a leave in the legendary match of the WT20 in 2022. Your winning shot elicited great cheers. The way you left the ball before it, allowing it on its way to becoming a wide ball, showed your presence of mind.
Even when the going was difficult, your integrity and your passion shone through. We all recall how you flew back to add value to the side even when your mother was in the hospital and the games you played against South Africa despite being unable to reach your family due to the floods in Chennai.
As one watches your career, it is the very adaptability and flexibility. The way you adapted your approach to fit different formats of the game was an asset to the team. I wonder whether your education as an engineer helped you in the meticulous and detail-orientated approach that you are famous for. Many analysts and peers have praised your sharp cricketing brain. I am confident that such knowledge will come of use to youngsters of future generations.
The wit and warmth with which you bring your stories to all of us on cricket and sports, besides life have been appreciated by fans. Do keep going and post those 'Kutti Stories'.
"As the ambassador of the game, the nation, the family could not have asked for a finer representative-both on the field, off the field. In this connection, I salute your parents; your better half, wife Prithi and, of course, your children too. No doubt their sacrifices and support must have been imperative for you to grow up as a cricketer and a better individual. I hope that you now get to spend more time with them, which is the same thing you might have wished for all these years.
"May you find ways to continue contributing to the game that you dearly love. Once again, heartiest congratulations on an illustrious career and best wishes for the future," it concluded.
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