Rohit's Slip of Tongue on Rahane and Pujara Retirement After Ashwin News Leaves Reporters Shocked and Concerned

During the post-match conference on Tuesday, India captain Rohit Sharma made a slip of the tongue that left reporters stunned. The momentous occasion came just after Ravichandran Ashwin declared his retirement from international cricket, following the conclusion of the third Test match of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy series, which ended in a draw. With the series still tied at 1-1, Sharma's mistake added an unexpected twist to the press conference.

After Ashwin bid adieu to the sport, drawing curtains on his illustrious career, especially in Test cricket, where he remains as the second-highest wicket-taker for India, and seventh in history, Rohit was asked by a journalist on how it felt to not have senior players like Ajinkya Rahane, Cheteshwar Pujara and the senior offie in the national team anymore.

Rohit responded saying he still is in touch with Rahane, who also hails from Bombay, but seldom gets to meet Pujara. He was hopeful that he will remain in touch with Ashwin, as he joked that the veteran bowler is most likely to join the broadcasting unit as an expert in a few years.

“We will always remain friends. Yes, we won't be seeing each other on the tour, but we will definitely be meeting each other. Ajinkya is from Bombay, and we meet often. Pujara is hiding somewhere in Rajkot, so we don't meet so often. But Ashwin might join you in a few years, so we will keep meeting him," he said.

However, midway through his comment, he realised the question and his statement thus far, and immediately corrected himself and the media saying that Rahane and Pujara are yet to retire. Taking an aim at the reporter, he jokingly said that the statement could have found him in a difficult spot in the media in the middle of an important series.

“Let me clarify, Rahane has not retired. You'll get me killed. Pujara, too, hasn't retired. I just put them in the same sentence because of your question. At this moment, all three aren't there in the Indian team, but Ashwin has officially retired. But you never know, Rahane and Pujara might return later and the door is open for them,” he said.

Ashwin announced his immediate retirement from international cricket following after the final session of the third Test match on Day 5 was washed out, resulting in a draw. The 38-year-old took 537 wickets in his 106 Tests at an average of 24.00, leaving him seventh on the all-time list and second only to Anil Kumble (619) for his country. He also played 116 one-day and 65 Twenty20 internationals.

"This will be my last day as an Indian cricketer in all formats at an international level," he said at the post match press conference.

"I feel there's a little bit of punch left in me as a cricketer, but I'd like to express that, showcase that, in club-level cricket."

Ashwin only played one Test match in the ongoing series, finishing with 1/53 in the Adelaide pink ball Test.