‘I would have wanted to see you go beyond 619’- Kumble wished Ashwin had gone past his Test wicket tally

Kumble Ashwin (Source: Photo by WILLIAM WEST/AFP via Getty Images, Gareth Copley/Getty Images)

Indian all-rounder Ravichandran Ashwin retired from international cricket after the Gabba Test on Wednesday, December 18. Ravichandran Ashwin bid adieu to a 14-year international career in which he scalped 765 wickets from 287 matches.

Former India legend Anil Kumble sent a message to the 38-year-old off-spinner and expressed his disappointment over Ashwin not being able to break his record of 619 wickets in Test cricket. He praised the Chennai-born player, calling him a champion bowler and a match-winner for the team.

“Congratulations, Ash, on a fantastic career. You’ve been a champion bowler for India, a champion all-rounder for India. You’ll certainly be missed. It’s not that easy, carrying that kind of expectation day in and day out. You’ve done it right throughout your career. You’ve been a match-winner for India, and Team India will certainly miss you. I for one, am a bit disappointed that you ended your career today at the international level. Ideally, I would have wanted to see you go beyond 619, but you have your reasons for that,” Kumble said.

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Kumble and Ashwin – The two spin wizards of Indian cricket

Both Ashwin and Kumble were top bowlers for the Indian team during their prime. Ashwin was just 82 wickets away from Kumble’s record who is currently the highest wicket-taker for India in Test matches. The two have a combined 72 five-wicket hauls in red-ball cricket as well.

Ashwin is second on the list of highest wicket-takers for India. Kumble has taken 953 international wickets while Ashwin is behind him on 765 wickets.