Ravichandran Ashwin’s shock retirement from international cricket has created a lot of buzz among the cricket fraternity, with many debating over the timing of his decision. He announced his retirement from international cricket right after the Gabba Test ended in a draw.
The off-spinner’s sudden exit after the third Test match between India and Australia at The Gabba in Brisbane has divided opinions, with some former cricketers questioning why he didn’t wait for the conclusion of the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25.
Basit Ali feels Ravichandran Ashwin’s decision to retire is ‘Mysterious’
Ashwin, who bid farewell to his stellar 14-year career, headed back to the home the same day he called time on his international career. The star all-rounder landed back in Chennai just hours later on Thursday, December 19, raising many eyebrows.
Adding fuel to the fire, former Pakistan cricketer Basit Ali has expressed his disappointment over the timing of the announcement, as he suggested that Ravichandran Ashwin’s decision to retire was premature. He sensed there was not something well in the Indian dressing room.
The former Pakistani selector also believes that had Virat Kohli been the Team India captain, he would have convinced Ashwin to postpone his announcement until the end of the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25, especially with two crucial Tests still left in Australia.
If Virat Kohli was captain, he wouldn’t have let Ashwin retire: Basit Ali
Furthermore, Basit Ali also stated that if Rahul Dravid or Ravi Shastri were there as the head coach, they would have urged the legendary spinner to wait and finish the Australia Test series, especially with India still having a chance to retain the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
With the ongoing five-match Test series level at 1-1 and key matches scheduled in Melbourne and Sydney, Basit slammed the current Indian head coach, Gautam Gambhir, and captain, Rohit Sharma, for not convincing Ashwin not to retire at least at the end of the BGT 2024-25.
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Basit Ali said on his YouTube channel: “I guarantee if Virat Kohli was captain, he wouldn’t have let Ashwin retire and would have told him to announce it after two matches. Why? Because India will need him in Sydney. If Rahul Dravid or Ravi Shastri were India’s coach, they also would not have let Ashwin retire at this moment. It’s bad that Rohit and Gambhir could not convince him and say, ‘Not at this time; these two Test matches you are needed’ especially in Sydney.”
Body language tells everything: Basit Ali
The former Pakistani cricketer feels there’s something mysterious about the decision, saying Ravichandran Ashwin’s body language said a lot of things. He pointed out that Ashwin’s hug with Virat Kohli in the dressing room spoke volumes.
However, Basit admitted that Ashwin may not be at his peak anymore but believes he’s still a valuable bowler and should not be under pressure for retirement. He also mentioned Ashwin’s record of being the second-highest wicket-taker in Tests.
Basit signed off by saying, “There are some things you can’t speak but are still understood. Body language tells everything; the way he (Ravichandran Ashwin) hugged Virat Kohli (in the dressing room). I agree he is not the same bowler, but not that bad that you put him under so much pressure… 537 (Test) wickets are a lot.”