The mood in the Indian camp was definitely happy as the players fought hard to draw against Australia in the Brisbane Test. However, Ravichandran Ashwin's sudden decision to retire in the middle of the series shocked everyone. Ashwin, one of football's modern greats, retired from international cricket at the end of the match, leaving several questions unanswered. Ashwin accompanied India captain Rohit Sharma at the post-match press conference but did not answer questions as he made his retirement decision public.
While the decision is indeed a shock to cricket lovers across the world, those who followed Ashwin closely on the cricket field knew that all was not well. A report in PTI explained the story behind Ashwin's decision to hang up his boots in the middle of the 2024-2025 Border-Gavaskar Trophy, including the role played by head coach Gautam Gambhir.
– R Ashwin was reluctant to fly to Australia if playing XI was not guaranteed. After India's three-match Test series against New Zealand concluded with Rohit Sharma's men suffering a 0-3 clean sweep, Ashwin began to wonder what was next for him. He even sought assurances from selectors about playing XI selection during the tour of Australia. Certain assurances were apparently given to him even as India picked Washington Sundar as the third spinner for the tour, alongside Ravindra Jadeja.
– Ashwin suffered his first setback when Washington Sundar was picked over him for the Perth Test. The selection of the spinner, despite having a similar profile to Ashwin, seemed to have hurt the experienced off-spinner. As a result, Ashwin wondered whether he should even continue for the rest of the series.
– Ashwin spoke about his situation with skipper Rohit Sharma, where he expressed his desire to hang up his boots as the team 'didn't need his services'. Rohit somehow convinced him to stay for the pink-ball Test, promising selection for the XI, which the India skipper also complied with.
– When the third Test arrived, Ravindra pushed Jadeja Ashwin into a spot in the playing XI, signaling what lies ahead for the Tamil Nadu-born spinner. Ashwin had already read between the lines and Jadeja's selection was a clear confirmation of what the future holds for him.
– Although there is a high chance of India picking two spinners for the Sydney Test. But Ashwin also understood that he would still not make it into the playing XI. Currently, he is third in the pecking order, with Sundar and Jadeja being the preferred combination. That was a message and a half, as far as Ashwin's future is concerned.
– With Rohit unavailable for the Perth Test, head coach Gautam Gambhir confirmed his brave decision and claimed India's No. 1 spinner would continue. Ashwin found out it wasn't him.
After 537 Test wickets, Ashwin knew at the age of 38 that he would not be able to get through the next World Test Championship cycle, which will end in 2027. Even as India battle hard to find a place in the final of the current cycle, Ashwin understands how low he has fallen in the pecking order. Amidst all these changes in the transition that the Indian team is going through, there is no change in the respect, recognition and records that R Ashwin has earned over the years.
Topics mentioned in this article