“If I am not needed in the series right now, then…”
“If I am not needed in the series right now, then it would be better that I say goodbye to the game.” This is what Indian spinner Ravichandran Ashwin told captain Rohit Sharma before his shocking retirement decision. News agency PTI has claimed this citing sources.
Ashwin, who played cricket for India for 14 years, was planning to retire since the series defeat to New Zealand. According to the report, he had clearly told the team management that if he does not get a place in the playing eleven of the series against Australia, then he will not travel with the team.
Ravichandran Ashwin announces his retirement from all forms of international cricket.
— 7Cricket (@7Cricket) December 18, 2024
Congratulations on a brilliant career 👏 pic.twitter.com/UHWAFmMwC0
I persuaded him to stay in the team till the Pink Ball Test: Rohit
Ashwin got 9 wickets in 3 matches of the series against the Kiwis, including two turning tracks (Mumbai and Pune). Meanwhile, Washington Sundar took 16 wickets in just 2 matches. Rohit Sharma was not present in the first Test of the series. After this, coach Gautam Gambhir finalized India’s playing eleven, in which the name of India’s number-1 spinner was not included.
Great Ravichandran Ashwin has announced his retirement from International Cricket today💔
— iAsheesh (@MrAsheeshShukla) December 18, 2024
We miss his batting, bowling and overall dedication Sir💞#RavichandranAshwin #Ashwin #INDvAUS #BCCI #AUSvsIND #fanficsports pic.twitter.com/o2Ir0qypF9
What Rohit said in today’s press conference proves that Ashwin was not happy with the playing eleven of the Perth Test. The Indian captain said, “When I came to Perth, Ashwin told me about retirement. I convinced him to stay in the team till the Pink Ball Test. He felt that he is no longer needed in the series. It is important that a player like Ashwin, who has spent a lot of moments with the Indian team and who is a match winner for us, should be given the freedom to take such a decision.”
My last day as an Indian team cricketer: Ashwin
The 38-year-old Ashwin announced his retirement as soon as the Gaba Test ended. He arrived at the press conference with captain Rohit Sharma and said, “I will not take much of your time. Today was my last day as an Indian team cricketer. I think I still have the game left in me as a cricketer, but I will show it in club cricket.”
India Changed 3 Spinners in 3 Tests
India gave chances to three different spinners in the first three Tests of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. In the Perth Test, Washington Sundar replaced Ashwin. Later, after the return of captain Rohit Sharma, Ashwin played the Pink Ball Test. At the same time, left-arm spinner Ravindra Jadeja got a chance in the Gaba Test.
A BCCI source told PTI, “Ashwin is a legendary cricketer of India. He has the right to take his own decisions. The selection committee has nothing to do with this.”
In the Test series against England in June-July next year, India will probably not take more than two spinner all-rounders.
Who is the Next Spinner After Ashwin?
India currently has Washington Sundar, an off-spin all-rounder, as the top choice. Sundar impressed with 16 wickets in 2 Test matches played against New Zealand. India’s spin department is now set to go through a transition phase.
Ravichandran Ashwin retires from International Cricket.
— Lakshmiram Hazarika (@LakshmiramHaza1) December 18, 2024
An all time Great. Good Bye, Ash Anna!#ThankYouAshwin #Ashwin pic.twitter.com/TPtu2wctQA
The next cycle of the World Test Championship (WTC) will start from 2025 and run till 2027. The selection committee has time to experiment, with domestic talent like Mumbai’s Tanush Kotian emerging as an option.
Ashwin Could Have Retired After the Series
Former Indian spinner Harbhajan Singh believes Ashwin should have waited until the series concluded. Harbhajan said, “Numbers do not lie. Ashwin’s record is excellent. According to me, he should have played the last two Test matches, but this is his individual decision.”
After Dhoni’s Decision, India Missed a Wicketkeeper-Batsman
A similar retirement decision was taken by former Indian captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni, who announced his retirement after the third Melbourne Test of the 2014 Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Since then, India missed a strong wicketkeeper-batsman for a few years.
India has two spinners in the remaining matches of the series against Australia, but both the SENA countries boast more capable batsmen than spinners like Ashwin. In such a situation, India might feel Ashwin’s absence in the match scheduled to be held in Sydney.