How the Ashwin retirement drama unfolded at Gabba

How the Ashwin retirement drama unfolded at Gabba

The morning after has been one of reflection and praise. Once R. Ashwin retired from international cricket at Brisbane’s Gabba on Wednesday evening, the overwhelming reaction was unanimous respect.

But there was a lot that happened in the lead-up to the announcement that stunned the cricketing universe.

Just as Wednesday was oscillating between rain and the odd streak of sunshine, and the third Test was vacillating between India’s resilience and Australia’s win-at-all-cost approach, there was a sudden twist.

X, formerly Twitter, was agog with an expected ‘big announcement’, and the instant speculation was about a probable release of the ICC Champions Trophy schedule.

As the minutes ticked by and the rains had the last word in a game that ended in a draw, the latest inference was about a probable retirement of a legendary player.

Talk veered towards Rohit Sharma. He had left his batting gloves near the dugout after his dismissal in the first innings. Was that a sign? Then analysis rested on Virat Kohli. He had relinquished Test captaincy through a statement on social media, and was something even more drastic afoot?

Suddenly, the eureka moment occurred when a television grab of Kohli and Ashwin engaged in a chat emerged from the pavilion.