Ravichandran Ashwin’s retirement during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 has been among the biggest cricketing news for the past few days. The veteran offspinner signed off a glorious international career after the third Test between Australia and India at the Gabba.

Ashwin’s retirement not only took the cricketing world by surprise but also India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Recently, PM Modi expressed his gratitude and congratulated Ashwin on a glittering career that spanned 14 years.

Narendra Modi wrote a letter to Ravichandran Ashwin and remembered his numerous achievements across formats in international cricket. He paid a heartfelt tribute to the former India offspinner for his contribution to Indian cricket.

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PM Narendra Modi remembers Ravichandran Ashwin

According to the news agency IANS, Prime Minister Narendra Modi wrote a letter to Ravichandran Ashwin and congratulated him on a wonderful career. He also expressed his surprise just like the others in the cricketing world.

“The announcement of your retirement from international cricket surprised fans in India and across the world. At a time when everyone was looking forward to many more off-breaks, you bowled a carrom ball that bowled everyone,” Narendra Modi wrote.

“However, everyone understands that this must have been a hard decision for you as well, especially after the outstanding career you have had playing for India,” he added.

Narendra Modi speaks on Ravichandran Ashwin’s records

PM Modi further remembered the various records created by Ashwin during his career. He also spoke about the offspinner’s impact in his debut Test and also during India’s ODI World Cup-win in 2011.

“Each one of the 765 international wickets that you took across all formats was special. Holding the record of having the highest number of Player of the Series awards in Test matches shows the impact you had on the team’s success in Tests over the last many years.”

“As a young prospect, you took a five-wicket haul on Test debut and went on to be a part of the ODI World Cup-winning squad in 2011. By the time you bowled the team to victory in the last over of the Champions Trophy in 2013, you had become a key member of the team.”

“Later, you played a crucial role as a senior in the team through multiple victories in all formats of the game. As a player who has been the ICC Cricketer of the Year, you have also won international acclaim and universal respect,” PM Modi elaborated.

Narendra Modi remembers Ravichandran Ashwin’s famous leave in T20 World Cup 2022

PM Modi further spoke about Ashwin’s famous leave during the T20 World Cup 2022 that won India a thriller against Pakistan. He also remembered Ashwin’s commitment even during adverse situations in his life.

“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. Even during moments of adversity, your sincerity and commitment came to the fore.”

“We all remember the way you flew back to contribute to the team even when your mother was hospitalised and the time you kept playing against South Africa even when you couldn’t get in touch with your family during the floods in Chennai,” he explained.

In a tense situation during the match against Pakistan when India needed two runs off the last ball, Ashwin left a ball from Mohammad Nawaz for a wide down the leg side. The veteran then smashed a four over mid-off to win the match for his team.

PM Narendra Modi on Ravichandran Ashwin’s great cricketing mind

PM Modi also hailed Ashwin’s adaptability and performances in the different formats and his great cricketing mind and even claimed that his knowledge as an engineer helped him in cricket as well.

“As one observes your career, your flexibility and adaptability stand out. The way you tailored your approach to suit various formats of the game was an asset to the team. I wonder if your education as an engineer helped you in the meticulous and detail-orientated approach that you are famous for.”

“Many analysts and peers have praised your sharp cricketing brain. I am confident that such knowledge will come of use to youngsters of future generations,” PM Narendra Modi stated.

Narendra Modi congratulates Ravichandran Ashwin’s family

The Prime Minister finally congratulated Ravichandran Ashwin’s family for his outstanding career and saluted their sacrifices over the years. He hopes to see them soon and know them closely in the future.

“As an ambassador of the game, both on and off the field, you have made the nation and your family proud. I take this opportunity to congratulate your parents, your wife Prithi and your daughters as well. Their sacrifices and support, I am sure, have been crucial to your growth as a cricketer and as a person.”

“I hope that you get to spend more time with them, something that you would have looked forward to all these years. May you find ways to continue contributing to the game that you dearly love. Once again, heartiest congratulations on an illustrious career and best wishes for the future,” PM Modi concluded.

Ravichandran Ashwin retires as India’s second most successful bowler in Test cricket after Anil Kumble. Ashwin finished with 537 wickets in Tests in 106 Tests at an average of 24. He also has the record for the join-most Player of the Series awards in Tests.

Alongside picking up loads of wickets, Ashwin also contributed 3503 runs in Tests at an average of 25.75. He scored six hundreds in Test cricket and his batting contributions down the order mostly came when India needed them.

PM Modi congratulates R Ashwin on a stellar career through a letter.
~ “When everyone was looking forward to many more Odd breaks, you bowled a CARROM BALL that bowled everyone.”😂👌

“People are remembered for their shots, but you’ll be remembered for a LEAVE in T20 WC 2022″😂 pic.twitter.com/6WFDxbjDmX

— The Analyzer (News Updates🗞️) (@Indian_Analyzer) December 22, 2024