End of the road for Team India's top match-winner

For much of the raintormented day at the Gabba, no one had a clue.

We saw Yashasvi Jaiswal, sitting in the dugout, cock his wrists in an all-too-familiar manner before tossing the ball back to the off-spinner. We saw him having a conversation with KL Rahul but they were talking cricket. A midwicket chat about spin with Nathan Lyon was regular too. And then, finally, we saw visuals of Virat Kohli and R Ashwin share a few tears, a hug, and sit like the race was run. Little did we know that, at least for one of them, it was.

Ashwin did not play in Brisbane. Now, he will never play for India again. One of the greatest match-winners to represent the country called time on a career that saw him not only break records but also redefine what sporting success should look like.

The 38-year-old's tally of 537 Test wickets is second to only Anil Kumble's (619) for India. He was also the fastest Indian to 50, 100, 200, 300, 400 and 500 Test wickets. His 37 five-wicket hauls place him second only to Muthiah Murali tharan (67). And his running out the non-striker made him a cult hero to bowlers around the world.

For around an hour before the news actually broke, the grapevine was abuzz but since the player himself was in the dressing room, there was no way to get any confirmation.

Maybe, it was just another Ashwin experiment - something new, something unexpected.

Ashwin turned up for the post-match press conference at the Gabba with captain Rohit Sharma where he, keeping emotions in check, revealed it would be his "last day as an Indian cricketer in all formats at the international level".

Rohit Sharma, who began his interaction after Ashwin left, explained what led to the spinner's announcement. He was first asked what led to the decision mid-series.

"Some decisions are very personal and I don't think too many questions should be raised. If a player has a choice, he must be given that choice.