India off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin’s retirement announcement left each cricket fan internationally surprised. Still among the finest spinners within the recreation, Ashwin known as time on his worldwide profession halfway by way of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. As the Brisbane Test concluded, there was a way of sorrow within the Indian camp, with Ashwin deciding to hold his boots. Even his teammates within the Indian dressing room had been caught off-guard by the announcement. As Ashwin prepares for one more chapter in his profession, India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi shared a heartfelt letter to the enduring spinner who emerged as one of many nation’s largest match-winners within the longest format of the sport.
In his letter, PM Modi wrote how Ashwin’s retirement announcement felt like a ‘carrom ball’. From rising as one of many highest wicket-takers for India in worldwide cricket to the non-public sacrifices made, PM Modi paid his gratitude to the off-spinner from Tamil Nadu for the whole lot he did for the sport and his nation.
Here’s the total textual content of PM Modi’s letter to R Ashwin:
I hope that this letter finds you in the most effective of well being and spirits.
The announcement of your retirement from worldwide cricket stunned followers in India and internationally. At a time when everybody was wanting ahead to many extra off-breaks, you bowled a carrom ball that bowled everybody. However, everybody understands that this will need to have been a tough determination for you as effectively, particularly after the excellent profession you may have had taking part in for India.
Please settle for my heartiest congratulations on a profession that has been stuffed with brilliance, laborious work and placing the crew above the whole lot else.
As you bid farewell to worldwide cricket, jersey quantity 99 will probably be sorely missed. Cricket lovers will miss the sense of expectation they felt if you took to the crease to bowl – there was all the time a sense that you simply had been weaving an internet across the opponents which might lure a sufferer any second. You possessed an uncanny skill to outwit batsmen with good outdated off-spin in addition to progressive variations, because the state of affairs demanded.
Each one of many 765 worldwide wickets that you simply took throughout all codecs was particular. Holding the report of getting the best variety of Player of the Series awards in Test matches reveals the affect you had on the crew’s success in Tests during the last a few years.
As a younger prospect, you took a five-wicket haul on Test debut and went on to be part of the ODI World Cup profitable squad in 2011. By the time you bowled the crew to victory within the final over of the Champions Trophy in 2013, you had turn into a key member of the crew. Later, you performed an important position as a senior within the crew by way of a number of victories in all codecs of the sport. As a participant who has been the ICC Cricketer of the Year, you may have additionally received worldwide acclaim and common respect.
You have showcased your all-round prowess by scoring a century and taking 5 wickets in the identical match, many instances. With the bat in hand, too, you may have given our nation many reminiscences together with the courageous match-saving innings in Sydney in 2021.
Often individuals are remembered for some great shot that they performed. But you may have the distinctive distinction of being remembered for each a shot and a depart within the legendary match of the WT20 in 2022. Your profitable shot elicited nice cheers. The method you left the ball earlier than it, permitting it on its method to changing into a large ball, confirmed your presence of thoughts.
Even throughout moments of adversity, your sincerity and dedication got here to the fore. We all bear in mind the best way you flew again to contribute to the crew even when your mom was hospitalized and the time you stored taking part in towards South Africa even if you could not get in contact with your loved ones throughout the floods in Chennai.
As one observes your profession, your flexibility and flexibility stand out. The method you tailor-made your method to swimsuit varied codecs of the sport was an asset to the crew. I ponder in case your schooling as an engineer helped you within the meticulous and detail-oriented method that you’re well-known for. Many analysts and friends have praised your sharp cricketing mind. I’m assured that such information will come of use to kids of future generations.
The wit and heat that you simply deliver to your conversations have been appreciated by followers. I hope that you’ll proceed to publish ‘Kutti Stories’ on cricket, sports activities and life normally.
As an envoy of the sport each on and off the sector, you may have made the nation and your loved ones proud. I take this chance to congratulate your mother and father, your spouse Prithi and your daughters as effectively. Their sacrifices and help, I’m positive, have been essential to your development as a cricketer and as an individual. I hope that you simply get to spend extra time with them, one thing that you’d have appeared ahead to all these years.
May you discover methods to proceed contributing to the sport that you simply dearly love.
Once once more, heartiest congratulations on an illustrious profession and needs for the longer term.
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