Legendary Indian spinner Anil Kumble has expressed his sentiment after Ravichandran Ashwin shocked the cricket world by announcing his sudden retirement from international cricket.

He made the announcement after the rain-affected third Test between India and Australia ended in a draw at The Gabba, leaving the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 tied 1-1.

Anil Kumble reacts to Ravichandran Ashwin’s sudden retirement from international cricket

Reacting to the emotional announcement, Anil Kumble expressed a mix of admiration and disappointment over Ravichandran Ashwin’s decision to step away from the international stage so suddenly. The former Indian head coach expected Ashwin to surpass his own record of 619 Test wickets before retiring, but the player disappointed him.

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Ashwin had once expressed his desire to retire by reaching 618 wickets as a tribute to Kumble, India’s all-time leading wicket-taker in Test cricket. However, the all-rounder ended his illustrious career with 537 Test wickets as India’s second highest wicket-taker in Test cricket.

However, Kumble respected Ashwin’s decision and congratulated the master of spin for a fantastic career, but the legendary spinner could not hide his regret that the spinner retired before surpassing his 619 Test wickets, saying that India will definitely miss the carrom ball specialist.

I would have liked to see you go beyond 619: Anil Kumble

The Indian legend also called Ashwin a “champion bowler and all-rounder” for India, while acknowledging the high expectations he managed throughout his career.

Anil Kumble said in a video shared by ESPNcricinfo: “Congratulations Ash on a fantastic career. You have been an Indian bowling champion, an Indian all-rounder. We will surely miss you. It’s not so easy to carry those kinds of expectations day after day. You have done well throughout your career. You have been a match-winner for India and Team India will certainly miss you. I, for one, am a little disappointed that he ended his international career today. Ideally, I would have wanted to see you go beyond 619, but you have your reasons for that.”

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The former Indian captain wished the spinning maestro all the best in his future endeavours. Kumble signed off saying: “All the best to you in your second chapter. And I’m sure it will be as glorious as chapter one. Ash, for the fantastic career you’ve had in India. And congratulations once again. All the best. See you soon”.

Ravichandran Ashwin receives a heroic welcome in Chennai

Meanwhile, Ravichandran Ashwin returned to Chennai less than 24 hours after announcing his retirement from international cricket. His family, close friends and neighbors greeted him with a warm and heartfelt welcome. When his car pulled into his neighborhood, trumpets sounded and drums boomed.

TOI quoted Ashwin as saying on his arrival in Chennai: “I don’t think Ashwin the cricketer is done; I think Ashwin, the Indian cricketer, has probably called the moment. It’s emotional; maybe I’ll assimilate it. But for me it’s a great feeling of relief and satisfaction… I had been mulling it over in my head for a while, but it was very instinctive. I felt it on day 4 and called it on day 5.”