India spinner Ravichandran Ashwin announced his retirement from all formats of international cricket on Wednesday (December 18).
The 38-year-old confirmed the decision, saying it was his last day as an Indian cricketer while addressing the media at the Gabba, where the third Border-Gavaskar Trophy Test ended in a draw.
Amid the recent development, a report published in TOI claims that Ashwin is set to take the flight back home today itself.
According to the report, the legendary off-spinner is already at the airport was given a nice send-off by the Indian contingent.
A full-fledged get together or dinner couldn’t be arranged due to scarcity of time and timing of his flight.
"Everyone said nice words to him, about him and gave him a very nice and emotional send-off. Yes, he is flying out of Brisbane tonight only and due to lack of enough time, a proper gathering wasn't possible at the team hotel," TOI quoted a well-placed source as saying.
Ashwin accompanied Rohit Sharma for the press conference, where he shocked the cricketing world with his decision.
“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),” Ashwin told reporters.
“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,” he added.
After wrapping up the post-match presser, Ashwin collected a signed Australia jersey from his off-spin counterpart Nathan Lyon and skipper Pat Cummins. He then delivered a stirring farewell speech in the Indian dressing room.
“The international cricketer in me might have come to an end, but the cricket nut in me will never come to an end. All the very best. If at all, you guys need anything, I am just a phone call away,” Ashwin said.
Ashwin represented his country in 106 Tests, 116 ODIs, and 65 T20Is, picking up 765 wickets across all formats. He finished his career as India's second highest wicket-taker in Test cricket with 537 scalps to his name.
