Emotional Farewell: Prithi Narayanan Reflects on Ravichandran Ashwin's Retirement Ahead of England Test
A New Chapter for Team India
Prithi Narayanan, the wife of former Indian cricketer Ravichandran Ashwin, shared a heartfelt message as Team India prepares for its first Test against England on June 20. This match marks the beginning of a new phase for the team, which will be without three key players: Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Ashwin himself.
The Departure of Cricket Legends
Both Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli announced their exit from Test cricket prior to the squad's selection for the England tour. Meanwhile, Ashwin concluded his international career during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, following a drawn Test at the Gabba in Brisbane last December.
Ashwin's Legacy in Test Cricket
The veteran off-spinner's retirement marks the end of an illustrious Test career that lasted over ten years. Ashwin leaves behind a significant legacy and a considerable gap in the team, both in skill and experience, which will be challenging to fill as India faces England in this crucial Test series.
Prithi Narayanan's Emotional Note
Ahead of the Headingley Test, Prithi Narayanan expressed her mixed emotions on Instagram, acknowledging the challenge of watching Test cricket without Ashwin. She stated, "It's Test match day for India, and I woke up with many mixed feelings. I need to find a new way to love it and unlearn the only way I knew to."
Ashwin's Remarkable Statistics
Ravichandran Ashwin is regarded as one of the finest off-spinners in cricket history. He retired as India's second-highest wicket-taker in Test cricket, amassing 537 wickets, which includes 37 five-wicket hauls and 25 four-wicket hauls, with an impressive average of 24.00 and an economy rate of 2.83 across 106 matches.
Jadeja Steps Up as Lead Spinner
With Ashwin's retirement, Ravindra Jadeja is set to take the lead in India's spin attack. As a seasoned spinner, Jadeja will guide the younger bowlers throughout the England series. Together, Ashwin and Jadeja formed one of India's most successful bowling partnerships, claiming a total of 587 wickets together, ranking them as the sixth most effective Test bowling duo in history.