New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has penned a moving letter to legendary Indian spinner R Ashwin following his retirement from international cricket. Ashwin took the cricketing world by surprise as he announced his retirement from all formats of the game following the conclusion of the 3rd Test between India and Australia at the Gabba in Brisbane on Wednesday.
One of the best spinners to have played for India, Ashwin enjoyed an illustrious career spanning over a decade. He made his India debut in 2010 and quickly went on to become one of the vital cogs in the team’s bowling line-up. Ashwin finished his career as the second-highest wicket-taker for India in Tests with a staggering 537 wickets in 106 matches, only behind the legendary Anil Kumble (619).
Ashwin was part of India’s 2011 ODI World Cup-winning squad and also played a key role in India’s memorable Champions Trophy triumph in England in 2013. Though he enjoyed a successful white-ball career, Ashwin’s best for India came in the longest format. He played an instrumental role in helping India dominate in Tests at home and also enjoyed overwhelming success overseas.
Paying tribute to Ashwin after his retirement, Prime Minister Modi said the spinner’s iconic jersey no.99 will be ‘sorely missed’ by the fans. Acknowledging his services to Indian cricket, PM Modi said Ashwin gave the fans a sense of expectations whenever he came to bowl and possessed an uncanny ability to outsmart batters with his innovative variations and spin wizardry.
“As you bid farewell to international cricket, jersey number 99 will be sorely missed. Cricket lovers will miss the sense of expectation they felt when you took to the crease to bowl – there was always a feeling that you were weaving a web around the opponents which would trap a victim any moment. You possessed an uncanny ability to outwit batsmen with good old off-spin as well as innovative variations, as the situation demanded,” PM Modi wrote in his letter to Ashwin.
Here is PM Modi’s letter to R Ashwin in full
You will be remembered for both a shot and a leave: PM Modi to Ashwin
In his letter to R Ashwin, PM Modi also recalled India’s famous 4-wicket win against Pakistan at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) in the T20 World Cup 2022. After Virat Kohli’s heroic knock, Ashwin showcased his presence of mind in the dying moments of the match to win the game for India with a cheeky leave and a match-winning single off the last ball.
With two needed off the last ball, Ashwin bravely left a ball for a wide before scoring the winning run for India to help the Men in Blue clinch a thriller against their arch-rivals at the MCG. PM Modi said Ashwin will be remembered for both his winning shot and his crucial leave in the game.
“Often people are remembered for some wonderful shot that they played. But you have the unique distinction of being remembered for both a shot and a leave in the legendary match of the WT20 in 2022. Your winning shot elicited great cheers. The way you left the ball before it, allowing it on its way to becoming a wide ball, showed your presence of mind,” he wrote in the letter.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has penned a moving letter to R Ashwin following his retirement from international cricket. In his letter, PM Modi paid heartfelt tribute to the legendary spinner and said he will be sorely missed on the pitch for Team India. Cricket Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
