Ravichandran Ashwin delivered an emotional farewell speech in the Indian dressing room at the Gabba after announcing his retirement from international cricket following the third Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Reflecting on his journey, Ashwin expressed gratitude for the relationships he built with teammates like ViratKohli, Rohit Sharma, and RavindraJadeja over the past 4-5 years.

“This is a truly emotional moment,” Ashwin began, thanking his teammates and expressing happiness about his career. He reminisced about his first tour to Australia in 2011-12 and acknowledged the transitions within the team, stating, “Everybody’s time comes, and it’s truly my time.” He emphasized how much he valued the friendships forged during his career.

Watch it here.

As a token of respect, Ashwin received a signed shirt from the Australian team, presented by Nathan Lyon and captain Pat Cummins. He confirmed that while he would be returning home on December 19, he would continue to support his teammates from afar. “The international cricketer in me might have come to an end, but the cricket nut in me will never cease to exist,” he added, offering his assistance if needed.

Ashwin leaves behind a remarkable legacy as India’s second-highest wicket-taker in Tests, having taken 537 wickets and scored 3,503 runs throughout his illustrious career.