'Just leave it': R Ashwin's cryptic post after Virat Kohli's back-to-back duck in 2nd ODI against Australia goes viral

A recent cryptic social media post by India's legendary spinner R Ashwin, featuring the phrase 'Just Leave It', has left fans guessing on X (formerly known as Twitter). The post was left without a caption, offering no context or clue as to Ashwin's intentions, which immediately set fans and commentators speculating.

R Ashwin's 'Just Leave It' post breaks internet following Virat Kohli's duck in Adelaide

A large number of fans interpreted the message as a subtle suggestion for Virat Kohli to consider retirement from ODIs. This speculation follows Kohli's difficult return to international cricket during the ongoing Australia ODI series. Kohli recorded the second successive duck in the Adelaide ODI. Following his second dismissal in Adelaide, many in the fan base began publicly urging Kohli to retire.

A number of fans eventually offered a more logical interpretation of Ashwin's cryptic tweet, suggesting it had nothing to do with Kohli. Today, October 23, marks the third anniversary of the iconic T20 World Cup 2022 match between India and Pakistan, which many believe is the true inspiration behind the post.

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The post is likely a reference to Ashwin's highly praised, famous 'leave' during the intense final over of that match. With two runs needed off the final two balls, Ashwin showed immense composure by allowing a leg-side delivery from Mohammad Nawaz to pass him. In such a high-pressure situation, most batters might have instinctively tried to score, risking a wicket or a dot ball, which India could not afford. Crucially, if the ball had nicked his pad, the game would have been over. Instead, Ashwin's brilliant decision to let the ball go resulted in a wide, instantly changing the equation to just one run needed off the final ball. He then calmly sealed the victory for India with a single. His "Just Leave It" tweet, therefore, is seen as a simple, powerful commemoration of his cool-headed match-winning moment from three years ago.

Kohli's batting blip in Australia

Talking about Kohli, the ongoing series in Australia isn't unfolding as planned for him. Having already retired from T20Is in June of last year and from Tests in May of this year, the 36-year-old is almost certainly playing his final international matches in Australia, which concludes with the final game on October 25 in Sydney.

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Expectations were high for Kohli heading into the Adelaide match, a venue where he has previously scored 975 runs, including multiple Test and a World Cup century. Fans anticipated a strong comeback after his initial duck in Perth. However, his innings on Thursday lasted only four balls. Kohli had anticipated an outswinger from Bartlett and was attempting to flick the ball to the leg side. Instead, the delivery moved sharply inward after pitching, trapping him plumb in front of the stumps.

Rohit Sharma took up the mantle and scored a crucial 73 to help India post a competitive total of 264/9. In reply, Australia rode on Matthew Short and Cooper Connolly's fifties to chase down the target with two wickets and 22 balls to spare.