India National Cricket Team off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin, who retired just a few days back, revealed the promise that he made himself early on in his career. He spoke about the same in the tribute video posted by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).
Ravichandran Ashwin shocked the entire cricket fraternity after the third Test between the India National Cricket Team and the Australia National Cricket Team at the Gabba in Brisbane. The off-spinner attended a press conference with Rohit Sharma and announced that he would be quitting international cricket.
This came as a massive surprise for many because Ashwin has been the legend of the game, and with the way he was going, it’s fair to say that he still had some international cricket left in him. The off-spinner in the middle of the series took the massive decision and surprised many.
Since Ashwin has retired now, if one looks at the kind of impact he has made for India, especially in Tests, it’s fair to say that there won’t be another player like him. The all-rounder ended up as one of the best players to have played the game of cricket.
Ravichandran Ashwin was one of the major reasons behind the dominance of the India National Cricket Team at home
Ashwin was one of the major reasons behind the dominance of the India National Cricket Team at home from 2013 to 2023. It was because of him that the Indian team didn’t lose a single series at home during this period as he contributed immensely with the bat and ball. Notably, India just recently lost a Test series at home against New Zealand, which shattered the likes of R Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja.
Ravichandran Ashwin’s ability to run through the batting lineups was one of the major highlights of his career. He ended his career with 537 Test wickets, which is the second highest by an Indian player in the format, with the first one being Anil Kumble, who picked 619 wickets in the longest format of the game.
I was just telling myself, we are not going to lose another one, ever – Ravichandran Ashwin’s promise to himself
Ravichandran Ashwin, in the video, also revealed that when India lost the Test series against England in the 2012/13 season, he promised himself that they would not lose another series at home. He added:
“Look, I don’t know where to begin. Honestly, I think I made myself a promise in 2012. We lost a series against England, a tricky one. It was very early in my career and I was just telling myself, we are not going to lose another one, ever. And that’s what I promised myself.”
Ravichandran Ashwin also mentioned that if anyone had told him in 2011 that they would retire with many wickets and runs, he wouldn’t have accepted. He also expressed his gratitude towards all those who supported and challenged him. He elaborated:
“But if somebody had told me in 2011 that I would be getting so many wickets, I would be retiring on the 18th December 2024; I wouldn’t have believed them. Because I knew that this was a game that I loved.
“But I never did expect that I would get so much love and so many wickets and so many runs as well. I’m very glad. Deep sense of gratitude for everyone that supported me, everyone that’s challenged me. So happy today. Thank you.”
Watch: BCCI pays tribute to Ravichandran Ashwin on his retirement
To celebrate the legacy of Ravichandran Ashwin, who also hammered 6 Test centuries, the BCCI posted a heartfelt video for him. The clip highlights his special milestones over the years and also his valuable words.