Indian National Cricket Team off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin shocked many after the third Test against the Australia National Cricket Team ended at The Gabba in Brisbane. He announced his retirement from international cricket with immediate effect.
Ravichandran Ashwin, who played the pink-ball Test in Adelaide after the Gabba Test, confirmed that he is done with International Cricket. It came as a surprise to many because not many expected the all-rounder to announce his retirement mid-way in the series and this early when there is still a bit of cricket left in him.
He felt that if I am not needed right now in the series, I am better off saying goodbye to the game – Rohit Sharma on Ravichandran Ashwin’s decision to retire
Ashwin walked out with Rohit Sharma to the press conference and announced the decision. Even the skipper was asked about the same, to which he claimed he got to know after he reached Perth, but he convinced him to play the pink-ball Test.
He said: “When I arrived in Perth, this was a chat we had, and I somehow convinced him to stay for that pink ball Test match, and then after that, it just happened…He felt that if I am not needed right now in the series, I am better off saying goodbye to the game.”
Ravichandran Ashwin didn’t have any plans to retire before boarding the flight to Perth – Reports
However, a fresh set of reports in Indian Express, it is learned that Ravichandran Ashwin didn’t have any plans to retire before boarding the flight to Perth for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. But the off-spinner had dropped a hint about his retirement to his family, because of the struggle with a knee injury.
His family was on the same page with him as they told him to consider the decision. He, however, had told them he would announce his retirement following the tour of Australia. But after getting dropped for the Brisbane Test, he told his family that he would announce his retirement on December 18.
Ravichandran Ashwin wanted a clearance from Team management about his place in XI for Australia series
In another set of reports in PTI, it is learned that the off-spinner had already made up his mind to retire after the home series against New Zealand. He also wanted a clearance from team management about his place in the XI for Australia tour and if he was not guaranteed a place, he would not even travel Down Under.
A source close to BCCI said that: “There was no nudge from the selection committee. Ashwin is a legend in Indian cricket and he has the right to take his own call.”
The reports also claimed that Ashwin’s decision to retire made everyone in the Indian dressing room shocked. The off-spinner went to each and every player and told him about his decision. He also considered the future of the team before deciding to retire. Also, Gautam Gambhir selecting Sundar over Ashwin was one of the reasons why the veteran decided to retire from international cricket.
Also read: Why did Ravichandran Ashwin retire suddenly during BGT? Spinner was ‘A bit frustrated with…’