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- India vs Australia Highlights, 3rd Test Day 5: 'It is an emotional moment...': Ravichandran Ashwin announces retirement after Gabba Test ends in a draw
India vs Australia Highlights, 3rd Test Day 5: 'It is an emotional moment...': Ravichandran Ashwin announces retirement after Gabba Test ends in a draw
Ashwin retires from the game as the second highest wicket-taker for India in Tests with 537 scalps in 106 games, leaving him only behind Anil Kumble (619 wickets). He will continue to play club cricket.
The 38-year-old played the day-night Test in Adelaide and picked up one wicket.
He was seen sharing an emotional moment with star batter Virat Kohli in the dressing room hours before the announcement.
The rain-interrupted third Test between India and Australia ended in a draw at The Gabba in Brisbane on Wednesday, leaving the series tied 1-1 going into the penultimate Test in Melbourne. India were eight for no loss with Yashasvi Jaiswal (4) and KL Rahul (4) at the crease in their chase of 275 when bad light and rain forced an early tea.
Australia made a spirited declaration at 89 for seven in their second innings with more than one session to go.
India's star pacer Jasprit Bumrah led the show with 3/18 in his six overs, aided well by Mohammed Siraj (2/35 in 7 overs) and Akash Deep (2/28).
The surprise move from skipper Pat Cummins came after the 18th over when they declared the innings as a two-way result seemed realistic with more than 50 overs possible in the final session.
The third Test had multiple rain interruption across the five days.
Earlier, India were all out for 260 in response to Australia's 445.
Resuming the day at 252 for nine, India added eight runs in 24 balls.
Australia gained a 185-run first innings lead after Akash Deep was stumped off Travis Head's bowling in the 79th over.
21:51He (Ashwin) may have been told that he's not going to play any further part in this series, and rightly so, (he) just decided to go out on his own terms. I'm going to miss his bowling, that flight, carom balls, his abilities to bowl in all conditions … (in India) a batter has got no chance when you're facing that quality.
Former England captain Michael Vaughan
A bit of a surprise, he has been a champion player for them. One of the greats who played a lot over the last 10-plus years. He’s had a wonderful career and massive respect from our change room for the career he has had.
Australia captain Pat Cummins
"This will be my last day as an international cricketer... it is an emotional moment and I won't be taking any questions."
It was a short announcement as R Ashwin called time on an incredible international career. He had his captain, and long time teammate, Rohit Sharma by his side while he revealed the news and the two looked very emotional for the couple of minutes they sat together behind the microphone. Ashwin didn't wait a second after the announcement was done and gave a warm hug to Rohit before leaving the room to a well-deserved round of applause.
02:32221 - James Anderson
193 - Stuart Broad
191 - Muttiah Muralidaran
188 - Nathan Lyon
172 - Shane Warne
172 - Glenn McGrath
I think it would be unfortunate to have me around his side (on sitting with Rohit at the PC), since he has announced I'm not going to take too much of your time, this will be my last year as an Indian cricketer at the international level. There's a bit left in me as a cricketer, but I would like to exploit it at the domestic and club-level cricket, but this would be the last day (at the international level). I have had a lot of fun, a lot of memories alongside Rohit and several of my other teammates. We've lost some of them over the last few years, we've been the last bunch of OGs I can say that are left out in the dressing room. I can mark this as my last day in the dressing room. I have several people to thank, but I would be failing in my duties if I didn't thank the BCCI and my teammates. I want to name a few of them, all the coaches who've been part of the journey, most importantly Rohit, Virat, Ajinkya, Pujara, who have taken a number of catches around the bat and have given men a number of wickets that I've managed over a number of years. Also want to thank the Australian team who've been fierce competitors over a number of years, I've enjoyed my team playing against them. It's already getting long, I wouldn't be taking any questions, truly emotional moments and I'm not in a position to answer any questions in the right manner. Once again, thanks for being the journalists you've been, for writing good things, and some nasty things at times. It's a relationship I think we'll maintain forever and I hope you give the other cricketers the same amount of love that you showered upon me. I've stopped as a cricketer, but I'll go on and be involved with the game, it's a game which has given me a lot.
Ravichandran Ashwin
India's spin spearhead Ravichandran Ashwin announced his retirement from international cricket in all formats after the third test against Australia finished in a draw in Brisbane on Wednesday.
This will be my last day as an Indian cricketer in all formats in the international level. I do feel there's a bit of punch left in me as a cricketer, but I would like to ... showcase that in club level cricket.
Ravichandran Ashwin
He was very, very sure of his decision. We should stand by what he wants
Indian captain Rohit Sharma on Ashwin's retirement
I mean, we will take that. Obviously to have interruptions like that wasn't great, but going to Melbourne at 1-1 gives us confidence to go out there and pull things towards us. The situation we were in after lunch (on Day 4), needed someone to stand up and take us through, we knew with the weather, we knew it wasn't going to be a full game. Credit to Jadeja and Rahul, the fight that Akash Deep and Bumrah was great to watch, we have seen them work so hard at the nets (on their batting). Coming to the bowling, Bumrah was outstanding, Akash Deep is very new to international cricket, he has worked hard at the nets, still new to international cricket, but he has put in the hard yards, there are people in the group to put their hand across and help him going forward.
Rohit Sharma
Would be better to be 2-1, lot of rain, nothing we can do about it. We set a huge total and felt like we were right ahead of the game throughout. Poor Josh, one of those things, few rain breaks probably helped, Starc and I were able to push through. Day 5 here can be up and down, there wasn't much cricket played on it, felt challenging when the ball was hard. Smith and Head's innings were fantastic, Alex Carey too. Lyon looked really good, Starc got wickets, just about ticked off every box. (On the full-house expected at the MCG on boxing-day) That will be amazing, one of those things here in Australia that you wake up and can't wait for.
Pat Cummins
Feels like I batted quite a while ago to be honest. Happy to contribute, nice to get some runs and set us up in the first innings. Challenging wicket, worked through the gears well, pleased I was able to get through and set the team up. Was trying to sum up the conditions, feel like I've done that well in this series so far, very happy with the tempo I'm batting with. Pretty relaxed communication, feel like he (Smith) was in great rhythm, gives me great confidence when batting with him, was a nice partnership, really enjoyed it. When I first get out there, I try and navigate different challenges, solve different problems. Just a little sore (groin) but I should be fine (before the next game).
Travis Head
9/94 Jasprit Bumrah Brisbane 2024
8/72 Jasprit Bumrah Perth 2024
8/109 Kapil Dev Adelaide 1985
33/5 Brisbane 2024 *
38/5 Perth 2024
48/5 Mumbai WS 2004
49/5 Brisbane 1977
51 Kapil Dev (24.58)
49 Anil Kumble (37.73)
40 R Ashwin (42.42)
35 Bishan Bedi (27.51)
Ashwin made the announcement Wednesday at a hastily-called media conference following the drawn Test between Australia and India at the Gabba.
Ashwin played 106 Tests for India since his 2011 debut, taking 537 wickets. He took more wickets against Australia than any other country, with 115 at 28.58 in 23 Tests against them.
India captain Rohit Sharma said he was aware of Ashwin's desire to walk away before the start of the series, but convinced him to play in Adelaide last week.
The 38-year-old spinner was then left out of the third Test in Brisbane, with Ravindra Jadeja taking his spot.
Ashwin's call means he will not be available for the final two Tests in Australia, with Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar the two remaining spinners in the squad.
The third Test ended in a draw on Wednesday after play was abandoned due to rain after tea on day five at the Gabba.
India were eight for no loss in their second innings needing 267 runs for victory when bad light halted play and brought tea early, with the match unable to resume after the break.
The five-Test series is level at 1-1.
The fourth Test starts in Melbourne on December 26.
