Tributes have been pouring in for Ravichandran Ashwin after the Indian off-spinner announced his retirement from international cricket, aged 38.
After a sensational career with the national side, rising to become India’s seventh-highest wicket-taker, Ashwin announced he’d be resigning from his role in the Indian Test side after the Gabba Test this week.
Over a 14-year spell with India, Ashwin took 537 wickets at an average of 24 across 106 Tests. His numbers are equally impressive in ODI cricket, taking 156 wickets across 116 matches.
But back in 2019, Ashwin had 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 had ‘mankaded’ the England star, with late Australian cricketing legend Shane Warne hitting out on Twitter at Ashwin’s decision.
A year later, he returned to put the rest of the IPL on notice, having handed Aaron Finch a ‘first and final warning’ by choosing not to run out the Aussie batter during a match between Delhi Capitals and Royal Challengers Bangalore.
Ravichandran Ashwin (centre) has announced he will be retiring from Test cricket after the Brisbane Test this week
Aussie great Aaron Finch (pictured) paid homage to Ashwin following his retirment decision
But paying tribute to the legendary Indian bowler, Finch recalled the moment and revealed a hilarious and heartwarming moment the pair shared after the match.
‘Ah what a player he’s been for Inda for such a long period of time,’ Finch told 7Cricket.
‘He’s someone who was an unbelievable competitor on the field but then on the field he’d love to sit down with you and talk cricket for hours.
‘I had the pleasure of playing IPL with him and spending quite a bit of time being the absolute cricket [nut] I am.
‘Overall his contribution and record speaks for itself. The amount of wickets and runs he’s got… It’s just unbelievable.
‘It’s quite funny… because I think he ran Jos Buttler out before that mankadding incident in the IPL and then I did it.
‘And then he’s come out after the game and said: ‘I don’t run my mates out!’
‘I was very thankful for that,’ he added, laughing.
He also took to Instagram to also thank Aswin for not mankadding 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 stump him after Finch had advanced a good few yards out of his crease.
‘One of the all-time careers!!! Congratulations @rashwin99! It was a pleasure to play with and against you! PS: Thanks for not running me out this day!’ He captioned the picture.
Tributes have flooded in from around the cricketing world for Ashwin, with his old captain Virat Kohli paying thanks to his team-mate.
‘I’ve played with you for 14 years and when you told me today you’re retiring, it made me a bit emotional and the flashbacks of all those years playing together came to me.
‘I’ve enjoyed every bit of the journey with you Ash. Your skill and match-winning contributions to Indian cricket are second to none and you will always and always be remembered as a legend of Indian cricket.
‘Wish you nothing but the best in your life with your family and everything else that it unfolds for you.
‘With massive respect and lots of love to you and your close ones. Thanks for everything buddy.’
Aussie captain Pat Cummins branded Ashwin ‘one of the all-time greats’.
Ashwin sparked controversy after he had mankadded Jos Buttler back in the IPL in 2019
Tributes have flooded in from around the cricketing world for Ashwin, who took 537 wickets during his Test career
‘He’s obviously been a fantastic player all around the world,’ Cummins said. ‘There aren’t that many finger spinners that have that kind of longevity.
‘There’s a massive respect from our changing room for the career that he’s had.’
Michael Vaughan took to X to write: ‘Thanks @ashwinravi99… Have loved watching you play for India.’
AB de Villiers was another to pay homage to the India spinner: ‘I’ve always enjoyed our battles, and have so much respect for you. You’ve always been a great competitor, and an exceptional cricketer. Congrats on an incredible career, @ashwinravi99. Good luck for the future!’