Brisbane: The Indian dressing room was overwhelmed with emotions on Wednesday but the retiring veteran off-spinner Ashwin maintained a calm demeanor throughout. After giving the news of retirement in his last press conference as an international cricketer, Ashwin was walking towards the Indian dressing room when former Australian opener and now commentator Matthew Hayden came forward to welcome him and then match referee Ranjan Madugalle hugged the veteran off-spinner.

After walking a few steps forward, he met Nathan Lyon and Pat Cummins in the corridor who presented the Indian legend with a jersey signed by the Australian players. Finally Ashwin reached the Indian dressing room. A touching Tamil song was playing in the background. Ashwin then gave an emotional speech during which he promised his teammates that he would always be available for them just on a phone call.

Ashwin's announcement of retirement with immediate effect was surprising as two Tests are still to be played in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Ashwin walked towards the press conference room with a smile on his face. Later, members of the Indian support staff lined up to meet Ashwin including fielding coach T Dilip, Sri Lankan left-arm throwdown specialist Nuwan Seneviratne and many others.

After entering the dressing room amid loud applause, Ashwin was greeted by teammates like Yashasvi Jaiswal, Dhruv Jurel and Rishabh Pant who now have the responsibility of taking Indian cricket forward on their shoulders. Ashwin must have chosen his every word very carefully before talking to his teammates.

I don't know what to say about this. Honestly, it is easier to interact with the team on the field. Even though I am not demonstrating it, it is really a very emotional moment for me," Ashwin said in a video shared by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).

"It feels like when I came here in 2011-12, my first Australian tour, I have seen everyone go through a phase of change," he said. I saw Rahul (Dravid) bhai go, Sachin (Tendulkar) paaji go. But believe me guys, everyone's time comes and today is my time to go.

Ashwin said that the last four-five years of international cricket was the time when he made some special relationships.

He said, "I have enjoyed it a lot, made some great relationships and friends in the last four-five years and I am leaving behind some of my teammates who were playing (with me). With every passing year in the last four-five years I have realized how much I value their relationship and how much I value them as a player."

He promised his Indian teammates that he would be available just on a phone call. Ashwin said, if you guys need anything, I will be available just on a phone call. Once again thank you very much, thank you Rohit. Thank you, Virat, thank you, Gauti bhai. I am very happy today."

An emotional Rohit Sharma gave a piece to Ashwin after cutting the farewell cake while Mohammed Siraj gave him 'three salutes' and Lokesh Rahul hugged him. Ashwin became emotional when he hugged Shubman Gill.