IND vs AUS: Gabba Test Ends in a Draw, R Ashwin Retires
R Ashwin announced his retirement from international cricket, while India vs Australia’s third Test match ended in a draw, with Virat Kohli expressing frustration over media intrusion.
The third Test match of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy between India and Australia ended in a draw from December 14-18, 2024. Australia set a challenging target with 445 runs in their first innings, thanks to Travis Head's 152 runs. India struggled, scoring 260, but managed to avoid the follow-on, thanks to a crucial 39-run partnership between Jasprit Bumrah and Akash Deep, who helped India reach the target of 246 to avoid follow-on.
The concept of a follow-on in cricket is when a team trailing by more than 200 runs in the first innings is forced to bat again. India was in a precarious situation, needing 33 more runs with just one wicket left, but Bumrah and Deep managed to pull India out of danger.
In a press conference on December 16, Bumrah humorously responded to a question about India's batting by referring to his memorable 34-run over off Stuart Broad in his debut match as captain.
A sad moment for Indian cricket came at the end of the third Test when Ravichandran Ashwin, India's star all-rounder, announced his retirement from international cricket. With 765 wickets, Ashwin is the second-highest wicket-taker in India after Anil Kumble and the seventh overall in the world. His retirement received tributes from teammates like Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and even Australian cricketer Pat Cummins, who praised Ashwin’s incredible contributions to the game.
Ashwin’s father, in an interview, revealed that the decision was sudden and hinted at possible frustration over Ashwin's recent lack of selection. Ashwin, however, asked fans to forgive his father, urging them to understand that his father wasn't accustomed to media interactions.
Meanwhile, Virat Kohli had an emotional outburst with the Australian media ahead of the fourth Test match in Melbourne. Kohli expressed frustration over his family being filmed without permission, stating that he values his privacy, especially when with his children.
Kohli's childhood coach, Rajkumar Sharma, also hinted that Kohli and his family might be moving to the UK soon. This incident added to the ongoing drama surrounding India's ongoing Test series with Australia.
