“Flashbacks of all those years playing together” - Virat Kohli’s emotional words on R Ashwin’s retirement after BGT 2024-25 3rd Test

Former Indian captain Virat Kohli took to social media to share an emotional message after veteran spinner Ravichandran Ashwin announced his retirement from international cricket on Wednesday, December 18. He announced the same after the conclusion of the third Test of the 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy.

On Day 5, during a rain break, both Kohli and Ashwin were seen sitting together in the dressing room, indulging in what seemed like an emotional conversation. The Delhi-born cricketer was also spotted hugging an emotional Ashwin. After the game, Ashwin joined captain Rohit Sharma at the post-match press conference and announced his retirement from international cricket.

Reacting to Ashwin's retirement, Kohli took to X to post an emotional message for the 38-year-old. He wrote:

“I've played with you for 14 years and when you told me today you're retiring, it made me a bit emotional and the flashbacks of all those years playing together came to me. I've enjoyed every bit of the journey with you ash, your skill and match-winning contributions to Indian cricket as second to none and you will always and always be remembered as a legend of Indian cricket.”

“Wish you nothing but the best in your life with your family and everything else that it unfolds for you. With massive respect and lots of love to you and your close ones. Thanks for everything buddy,” Kohli added.

The second match of the 2024-25 BGT, held at the Adelaide Oval, saw Ashwin claim one wicket and score 29 runs, making it his final international appearance for India.

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Ravichandran Ashwin retires as the second-highest wicket-taker for India across all formats

Ravichandran Ashwin made his India debut in an ODI against Sri Lanka in June 2010. The off-spinner went on to play 116 ODIs, taking 156 wickets, and was part of the 2011 ODI World Cup and 2013 Champions Trophy-winning squads.

Ashwin also featured in 65 T20Is, claiming 72 wickets. However, his greatest success came in Test cricket, where he played 106 matches and took 537 wickets, including 37 five-wicket hauls. He ranks India’s second-highest wicket-taker in Tests, behind Anil Kumble (619). Ashwin also scored 3,503 runs, including 14 fifties and six centuries.

Across all formats, Ashwin ends his career as the second-highest wicket-taker for India with 765 wickets, trailing only Anil Kumble (953).