Ashwin's big spin: Goodbye to int'l cricket

INTRIGUE and suspense, the moments leading up to the revelation seemed like an episode right out of the pages of mystery books. It all started as murmurs as if something unexpected was going to happen. It seemed like a premonition. The cameras in the stadium that seem to be omnipresent and miss nothing panned it on an emotional conversation between two luminaries of Indian cricket - R Ashwin and Virat Kohli here at the Gabba.The veil was lifted when Ashwin walked out with the India skipper Rohit Sharma for the after-match press briefing. Someone retiring midway is rare but knowing Ashwin, the announcement wasn't a surprise. He dropped the bombshell, just like taking wickets, out of nowhere. After spending years at the highest echelon of the sport, he would not want to travel if his services are not needed.

- GOMESH S @ Brisbane

Ashwin, having been a part of the India set up for 14 years, had evidently informed Rohit that if he is not needed going forward, it was time to hang his boots. In fact, he had spoken to the captain about it in Perth, where Washington Sundar played ahead of him, but Rohit had convinced Ashwin to stay on for pink ball Test.