R Ashwin did this minutes before announcing retirement from international cricket; watch video

India's premier off-spinner R Ashwin on Wednesday surprised the cricketing world by announcing his retirement with immediate effect in the middle of the Test series against Australia. Ashwin retires from the game as the second highest wicket-taker for India in Tests with 537 scalps in 106 games, leaving him only behind Anil Kumble (619 wickets). He will continue to play club cricket.

"I won't take too much of your time. Today will be the last day for me as an India cricketer," Ashwin said at the end of the drawn third Test here in a joint press conference with captain Rohit Sharma during which he declined to take any questions and left after making the announcement.

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Moments before the announcement, he was seen sharing an emotional moment with Virat Kohli.

On the fifth day of the third Test between India and Australia at the Gabba in Brisbane, Kohli and Ashwin shared a heartfelt exchange in the dressing room. The duo were seated next to each other as rain poured outside, they had a lengthy chat before hugging each other in a heartfelt moment. It later became clear that this was going to be Ashwin's last day as an international cricketer.

ALSO READ: R Ashwin announces retirement from international cricket

India were handed a 275 run target and were 8/0 when the umpires asked players to walk off the field with bad light and not long after, rain got heavier. As a result, the third Test between the two teams was called off and they shared honours.

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The five-match Border-Gavaskar Trophy stands at 1-1 after three Tests. The fourth Test will get underway in Melbourne on 26 December with the fifth and final contest at the Sydney Cricket Ground from January 3.