The headline of the Brisbane story changed. The secret of intermittent rain drops on the Brisbane grounds for five consecutive days was revealed. Actually, these were not rain drops on the field, they were innumerable tears of cricket, which were flowing again and again due to the upcoming unfortunate news. The climax of Brisbane was to be the kangaroos’ sweat on the fourth and fifth days. The anti-climax came in the form of the retirement of the great R Ashwin. So first of all let’s talk about fighter Ashwin.
How could Ashwin answer today…
Ashwin, who came in front of the media for the first time after retirement, said – This is a very emotional moment for me, sorry, I will not be able to take any questions from you on this occasion. The great bowler who had answers to every question of even the biggest batsmen, today distanced himself from the questions. Two souls reside in the body of a dedicated sportsperson. First- because of which he is alive. And the other which is his life – that is, his game.
Only he can understand what Ashwin must be feeling while being separated from his ‘one soul’. We, crores of fans, now have to give time to our Ashwin. Have to wait for his new role. Then we have to celebrate cricket with Ashwin coming in a new role. And during this time we have to remember the countless happiness we got because of him. We have to thank R Ashwin for this happiness.
Cricket lost one of its strong identities-
It is not easy for the game of cricket to accept Ashwin’s decision. It is not easy to compensate for the loss caused to cricket. The identity of any sport is created only on the basis of great players. The game improves and prospers. International cricket has lost one of its strong identities in the form of Ashwin in Brisbane.
That picture sank into my heart-
That picture from Brisbane pierced millions of hearts like a dagger. Virat and Ashwin are chatting in a very serious atmosphere in the dressing room. Ending the conversation, Virat hugs Ashwin. R Ashwin looks emotional. The news spreads like wildfire. The Brisbane ground becomes the last destination of Ashwin’s dazzling career. A fighter full of immense natural talent says- Okay then let’s go.
Emotional moments from the Indian dressing room 🥹#AUSvINDOnStar #BorderGavaskarTrophy #Ashwin #ViratKohli pic.twitter.com/92a4NqNsyP
— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) December 18, 2024
‘Ashwin type spirit’ in Brisbane
While bidding farewell to Ashwin, if there is no discussion about the fourth and fifth day of the Brisbane Test, perhaps Ashwin will not like it either. Because in these two days, Team India was seen with the same fighter approach as Ashwin had throughout his career.
The third Test was a draw, but the Indian team showed ‘Ashwin type spirit’ in the last two days. Converting a seemingly certain defeat into a draw was no less than a comeback. In a sense, it was a charisma even higher than that.
Anticlimax of fourth-fifth day-
The innings of Bumrah and Akashdeep cannot be forgotten. Partnership of 47 runs for the last wicket. This partnership ruined the plans of the Kangaroos. The fear of follow-on was avoided and thus half the defeat was avoided. But the anti climax came on the fifth day. When once again we ruined the calculations of the kangaroos.
Surely the Australians would have been trying to score 125 to 150 runs by losing hardly 1-2 wickets in 10-15 overs. But our bowlers respected his batting. 7 Kangaroos were bowled out till 89 and were forced to play 18 overs for this 89.
‘Ashwin type’ spirit will be with Melbourne-
In the last hour of the last session of the fourth day, Bumrah and Akashdeep frustrated the Australian bowlers. On the fifth day, Indian bowlers broke the morale of Australian batsmen. Believe me, both these incidents are glimpses of a great comeback. You will definitely see the results of both these incidents on the grounds of Melbourne. R Ashwin will not be with the team at Melbourne on 26 December. But the spirit of an ‘Ashwin type’ fighter will be with us.
