Indian national cricket team off spinner Ravichandran Ashwin shocked many after the third Test against the Australian 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, has confirmed that he is done with International Cricket. It came as a surprise to many as not many expected the all-rounder to announce his retirement midway through series and so early when there was a little cricket left in him.
He felt that if I am not needed now in the series, I better say goodbye to the game – Rohit Sharma on Ravichandran Ashwin's decision to retire
Ashwin is out with Rohit Sharma at the press conference and announced the decision. Even the captain was asked about the same, which he claimed he came to know after he reached Perth but convinced him to play the pink-ball Test.
He said: “When I got to Perth that was a discussion we had and I kind of got him to stay for that pink ball Test match and then after that it just happened … He felt that if I did not need me. right now in the series, I better say goodbye to the game.”
Ravichandran Ashwin had no plans to retire before boarding flight to Perth – Reports
However, from a new set of reports in the Indian Express, it is learned that Ravichandran Ashwin had no plans to retire before boarding the flight to Perth for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. But the one who had not turned left a hint of his withdrawal to his family, because battling 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 that he would announce his retirement after the Australian tour. But after being dropped for the Brisbane Test, he told his family he would announce his retirement on December 18.
Ravichandran Ashwin wanted clearance from the team management regarding his place in the series XI for Australia
In another set of reports in PTI, it is learned that the off-spinner had already decided to retire after the home series against New Zealand. He also wanted a clearance from the team management regarding his place in the touring XI for Australia and if he was not guaranteed a place, he would not even travel Down Under.
A source close to the BCCI said that, “There was no push from the selection committee. Ashwin is a legend in Indian cricket and has the right to take his own call”.
Reports also claim that Ashwin's decision to retire has shocked everyone in the Indian dressing room. The rotator went to each player and told them of his decision. He also considered the team's future before deciding to retire. Also, Gautam Gambhir the selection of Sundar over Ashwin was one of the reasons why the veteran decided to retire from international cricket.
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