India, off-spinner Ravichandran AshwinThe retirement announcement has left every cricket fan around the world stunned. Still one of the best spinners in the game, Ashwin stopped his international career halfway through winning the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. There was a sense of sadness in the Indian camp at the end of the Brisbane Test and Ashwin decided to hang up his boots. Even his teammates in the Indian dressing room were taken by surprise by the announcement. As Ashwin prepares for the next chapter of his career, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi shared a heartfelt letter to the iconic spinner, who has emerged as one of the country’s biggest match-winners in the longest format of the game.
In his letter, PM Modi wrote that Ashwin’s resignation announcement was like a “carromball”. Prime Minister Modi expressed his gratitude to the Tamil Nadu pacer for everything he has done for the game and his country, from becoming one of India’s most prolific players in international cricket to making personal sacrifices.
Here is the full text of PM Modi’s letter to R. Ashwin:
I hope this letter finds you in good health and good spirits.
The announcement of your retirement from international cricket surprised fans in India and around the world. While everyone was looking forward to many more breaks, you scored a carromball that amazed everyone. However, everyone understands that it must have been a difficult decision for you too, especially after the distinguished career you had with Team India.
Please accept my sincerest congratulations on a career that has been full of brilliance, hard work and putting the team above all else.
As you bid farewell to international cricket, you will sorely miss the number 99 jersey. Cricket fans will miss the sense of anticipation they felt when you stepped onto the crease to bowl – there was always that feeling of spinning a web around your opponents. which can catch the victim at any moment. You had an uncanny ability to outsmart the batsmen with good old-fashioned off-spin as well as innovative variations as the situation demanded.
Every one of the 765 international wickets you have taken across all formats has been special. The record for most Player of the Series awards in Test matches shows the impact you have had on the team’s success in Tests over the past many years.
As a young prospect, you took five wickets in your debut Test and were part of the ODI World Cup winning team in 2011. By the time you led the team to victory in the last over of the Champions Trophy in 2013, you had become a key member of the team. You later played a crucial role in the team, achieving many victories in all formats of the game. As the ICC Player of the Year, you have also earned international recognition and respect from all.
You have demonstrated your all-round skills by scoring a century and taking five wickets in the same match many times. With bat in hand, you have given our country many memories, including a brave innings save in Sydney 2021.
Often people are remembered for some wonderful scene they played. But you are unique in that you will be remembered for both your shot and miss in the legendary WT20 match in 2022. Your winning throw received thunderous applause. The way you left the ball in front of him, allowing it to turn into a wide ball, showed your presence of mind.
Even in moments of adversity, your sincerity and determination came to the fore. We all remember how you flew back to contribute to the team even when your mother was hospitalized, and how you continued to play against South Africa even when you couldn’t reach your family during the Chennai floods.
Looking at your career, you are flexible and adaptable. The way you have adapted your approach to different formats of the game has been an asset to the team. I wonder if your engineering background helped you with the meticulous and detailed approach for which you are renowned? Many analysts and colleagues have praised your sharp cricketing brain. I am sure that such knowledge will be useful to the youth of future generations.
The wit and warmth you bring to your conversations has been appreciated by fans. I hope you continue to publish Kutty Stories about cricket, sports and life in general.
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. I am sure their sacrifices and support have played a crucial role in your growth as a cricketer and as a person. I hope you get to spend more time with them, something you’ve been looking forward to all these years.
May you find ways to continue to contribute to the game you love dearly.
Once again, my sincerest congratulations on a brilliant career and best wishes for the future.
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