Former India spinner Harbhajan Singh congratulated R Ashwin on his ‘phenomenal cricket career’ and being the ‘flag bearer of Indian spin’ after the latter announced his international retirement on Wednesday.
Ashwin made his decision public in a press conference after the third Test between India and Australia ended in a draw due to rain.
WATCH | Ashwin announces retirement from international cricket
Taking to social media platform, X, Harbhajan said, “Congratulations on a phenomenal cricket career. Your ambition as a test cricketer was admirable. Well done for being the flag bearer of Indian spin for more than a decade. Be very proud of your achievements and hopefully see you more often now.”
Ashwin made his ODI and T20I debut in 2010 and played his first Test in 2011, same time when Harbhajan was also a regular member of the Indian team. The duo played five Tests, two ODIs and five T20Is together before Ashwin took over the reins.
Both Ashwin and Harbhajan are regarded as two of the finest off spinners ever to play for India. While Harbhajan finished with 707 international wickets including 417 scalps in Tests, 265 in ODIs and 25 in T20Is, Ashwin picked 765 wickets: 537 in Tests, 156 in ODIs, and 72 in T20Is.