Former Australian captain Aaron Finch shared a heartfelt message for Ravichandran Ashwin after the Indian cricketer announced his sudden retirement from international cricket. Finch praised Ashwin on social media, calling him "one of the greats" and recalling the joy of playing with and against him.
In a lighter moment, Finch shared a throwback photo from their IPL days with a cheeky caption: "PS. Thanks for not running me out on this day." This was a fun reference to Ashwin's reputation for using the 'Mankad' dismissal in the IPL, highlighting the respect and camaraderie between the two players.
Congratulations @ashwinravi99
— Aaron Finch (@AaronFinch5) December 18, 2024
You’ve been one of the greats and it was a pleasure to play with and against you! pic.twitter.com/2Yoany79hC
Ashwin, 38, retires as India’s second-highest wicket-taker in Test cricket and one of the finest all-rounders in the game. Over his incredible career, he not only excelled as a bowler but also contributed with the bat, scoring 3,503 Test runs, including six centuries and 14 fifties.
One of his most memorable performances was his partnership with Hanuma Vihari during the Sydney Test in 2021, which helped India secure a famous draw against Australia.
At a press conference, Ashwin said: "This will be my last day as an Indian cricketer in all formats of the game at the international level. I still feel I have some cricket left in me, and I hope to show that in club cricket. I’ve had a lot of fun and created many memories with Rohit and my teammates."
Ravichandran Ashwin’s illustrious test career
Ashwin made his Test debut in 2011 against the West Indies and quickly became a key player in India’s bowling attack. Known for his skill on all types of pitches, especially spin-friendly tracks, he was instrumental in India’s dominance at home under Virat Kohli’s captaincy from 2014 to 2021.
He also became the third Indian to win the prestigious Sir Garfield Sobers Trophy. Over the years, Ashwin held the No. 1 spot in the ICC Test bowling rankings multiple times, thanks to his match-winning spells.
Ashwin’s career is a testament to his skill, intelligence, and ability to perform under pressure. As he steps away from international cricket, he leaves behind a legacy as one of India’s greatest cricketers and among the finest all-rounders in the history of the game.