PM Modi writes to Ravichandran Ashwin: You bowled a carrom ball that bowled everyone
Ravichandran Ashwin's surprise retirement midway through the India-Australia series, PM Narendra Modi wrote a letter to the star cricketer acknowledging and thanking him for his phenomenal services to cricket.
«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,» the PM wrote.
Referencing one of the iconic weapons from the off-spin great's legendary bag of tricks, PM Modi said the shock announcement by Ashwin felt like a «carrom ball that bowled everyone».
Here follows the PM's letter to Ashwin in full:
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,
