Rohit Opens Door for Rahane and Pujara’s Comeback After Ashwin’s Emotional Exit
India’s Test captain Rohit Sharma found himself in an amusing yet delicate situation during a press conference on Tuesday, following the drawn third Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. The series remains tied at 1-1, but the spotlight was on veteran off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin, who made a shocking announcement about his retirement from international cricket.
Ashwin, who concluded his illustrious career as India’s second-highest wicket-taker in Test history with 537 dismissals, bid farewell to international cricket after the rain-affected final session on Day 5. His decision took reporters by surprise, prompting one journalist to question Rohit about the absence of senior players like Ajinkya Rahane, Cheteshwar Pujara, and now Ashwin, in the Indian setup.
Rohit’s Humorous Response
Rohit’s reply, filled with humor, initially caused confusion before he clarified his stance. He spoke about his connections with the three senior players, saying, “We will always remain friends. While we may no longer travel together for matches, we’ll certainly meet. Ajinkya is from Bombay, so we meet often. Pujara, on the other hand, seems to be hiding in Rajkot, so we don’t see each other as much. As for Ashwin, I feel he might join the broadcasting team soon, so we’ll continue to meet.”
Midway through his response, Rohit realized the potential misunderstanding his words might create. He quickly corrected himself, saying, “Let me clarify—Rahane has not retired. Neither has Pujara. You’re going to get me in trouble here! I mentioned them because of your question, but only Ashwin has officially retired. Rahane and Pujara may not be in the team currently, but the door is always open for their return.”
Ashwin’s Legacy
Ashwin, a key figure in India’s cricketing history, announced his decision to retire after the rain-hit draw in the third Test. Speaking about his journey, the 38-year-old said, “This marks my last day as an Indian cricketer at the international level. I feel I still have some cricket left in me, and I plan to showcase that at the club level.”
Ashwin’s numbers speak volumes about his contribution to the game. With 537 wickets in 106 Test matches at an average of 24.00, he stands seventh on the all-time list of highest wicket-takers in Test cricket and second only to Anil Kumble for India. Ashwin also played 116 ODIs and 65 T20Is, cementing his legacy as one of India’s finest bowlers.
Looking Ahead
While Ashwin’s retirement marks the end of an era, Rohit’s comments suggest optimism about Rahane and Pujara’s potential return to the national side. As India gears up for the remainder of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, fans can look back on Ashwin’s career with pride and look forward to the possibility of seeing other seasoned players making a comeback.
