'We all remember the way you flew back to contribute to the team' - PM Narendra Modi's tribute for R Ashwin

Ravichandran Ashwin dropped a bombshell after the third Test between India and Australia in Brisbane when he announced his retirement from international cricket. Since then, the 38-year-old has been receiving congratulatory messages from people from all walks of life for what has been a legendary career.

India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is an avid cricket enthusiast, gave a heartfelt tribute to Ashwin by writing a long letter, reminiscing the glorious moments in the Tamil Nadu off-spinner's career. The 74-year-old lauded Ashwin for keeping the team's interest above anything else at all times during his career, recalling the incident when he continued playing a Test match after visiting his mother, who was in the hospital.

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The Prime Minister also talked about Ashwin's sharp cricketing brain, which has garnered a lot of praise over the years. Narendra Modi hopes that the 38-year-old will be able to help budding young cricketers by sharing his knowledge and experiences.

I hope that this letter finds you in the best of health and spirits.

The announcement of your retirement from international cricket surprised fans in India and across the world. At a time when everyone was looking forward to many more off-breaks, you bowled a carrom ball that bowled everyone. However, everyone understands that this must have been a hard decision for you as well, especially after the outstanding career you have had playing for India.

Please accept my heartiest congratulations on a career that has been full of brilliance, hard work and putting the team above everything else.

As you bid farewell to international cricket, jersey number 99 will be sorely missed. Cricket lovers will miss the sense of expectation they felt when you took to the crease to bowl - there was always a feeling that you were weaving a web around the opponents which would trap a victim any moment. You possessed an uncanny ability to outwit batsmen with good old off-spin as well as innovative variations, as the situation demanded.

Each one of the 765 international wickets that you took across all formats was special. Holding the record of having the highest number of Player of the Series awards in Test matches shows the impact you had on the team's success in Tests over the last many years.

As a young prospect, you took a five-wicket haul on Test debut and went on to be a part of the ODI World Cup winning squad in 2011. By the time you bowled the team to victory in the last over of the Champions Trophy in 2013, you had become a key member of the team. Later, you played a crucial role as a senior in the team through multiple victories in all formats of the game. As a player who has been the ICC Cricketer of the Year, you have also won international acclaim and universal respect.

You have showcased your all-round prowess by scoring a century and taking five wickets in the same match, many times. With the bat in hand, too, you have given our nation many memories including the brave match-saving innings in Sydney in 2021.

Often people are remembered for some wonderful shot that they played. But you have the unique distinction of being remembered for both a shot and a leave in the legendary match of the WT20 in 2022. Your winning shot elicited great cheers. The way you left the ball before it, allowing it on its way to becoming a wide ball, showed your presence of mind.

Even during moments of adversity, your sincerity and commitment came to the fore. We all remember the way you flew back to contribute to the team even when your mother was hospitalised and the time you kept playing against South Africa even when you couldn't get in touch with your family during the floods in Chennai.

As one observes your career, your flexibility and adaptability stand out. The way you tailored your approach to suit various formats of the game was an asset to the team. I wonder if your education as an engineer helped you in the meticulous and detail-oriented approach that you are famous for. Many analysts and peers have praised your sharp cricketing brain. I am confident that such knowledge will come of use to youngsters of future generations.

The wit and warmth that you bring to your conversations have been appreciated by fans. I hope that you will continue to post 'Kutti Stories' on 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 as well. Their sacrifices and support, I am sure, have been crucial to your growth as a cricketer and as a person. I hope that you get to spend more time with them, something that you would have looked forward to all these years.

May you find ways to continue contributing to the game that you dearly love.

Once again, heartiest congratulations on an illustrious career an wishes for the future.

Ashwin finished his international career after playing 106 Tests, 116 ODIs, and 65 T20Is. He bagged 537, 156, and 72 wickets in the three formats, respectively. The Chennai-born also scored six Test centuries in his career. Ashwin will return to action during the upcoming edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) in 2025 as he has been roped in by Chennai Super Kings (CSK) for a staggering INR 9.75 crore.