Former India opener Akash Chopra believe that Ravichandran AshwinHis sudden retirement is the beginning of a transitional phase in the national Test cricket team. Aakash Chopra said Ravichandran Ashwin could be discouraged when he was dropped after the Pink-ball Test in BGT 2024-25.
Ashwin announced his retirement from international cricket after the third Test between India and Australia in Brisbane ended in a draw. He was not part of series opening at Perth but played at Adelaide. He was dropped for the third Test at the Gabba and Ravindra Jadeja he did well with the bat.
Ravichandran Ashwin unlikely to feature in Melbourne – Aakash Chopra
In a video shared on his YouTube channel, Aakash Chopra said that Ravichandran Ashwin was aware that he was not the best player in the overseas games. Chopra stated that Ashwin seemed to have accepted this, but his frustration grew when he was dropped after the Pink-ball Test.
“What happened exactly? There's a moment in everyone's life when you think, do I want to do this again? Am I okay with that? Ashwin must have had this in his mind for a long time that he's not playing much. He's not the No. 1 option in terms of overseas games.He made peace with it abroad.
“So he has come to terms with what Jadeja is playing with. But when Sundar played the Perth Test, then he said, that's it, I'm done. Ashwin played the Pink-ball Test, but when he was dropped from the Gabba, he said: he's done. You are not serious about playing me in the XI. I didn't do anything wrong in the Pink-ball Test to get dropped from the Gabba game, so Jaddu Melbourne was unlikely to turn up,” he added.
Nobody had that conversation with Ashwin, it's what I feel – Aakash Chopra
Aakash Chopra said that if someone had advised him to stay for the England tour, Ravichandran Ashwin could have been opened. Chopra stated that the lack of such a conversation left Ashwin to make his own decision.
“If someone had told Ashwin to wait because the team might need two spinners in England and then there's a home series. There's only one format so be around, but nobody had that conversation with Ashwin is what I feel.”
“He went in the middle of the series, so there is a question about the composition of the team, the balance now as well. Pulling out in the middle of the series is generally not a nice thing and not when the series is still open,” Chopra said.
“The wheel is set in motion. This is now the official start of the transition. One is gone. More may follow. The next three weeks will be very important. By January 15, the picture will become clear, how this Indian team will move forward , Ashwin's withdrawal has opened up quite a few threads,” said Chopra.
Ravichandran Ashwin will continue to play in IPL for CSK
Ravichandran Ashwin retired from international cricket with 765 wickets in all formats. He also made a notable impact with the bat in Test cricket, scoring six centuries and 14 half-centuries.
Ashwin made his debut in 2010 and played 287 matches, including 106 Tests in which he claimed 537 wickets. The spinner also took 156 wickets in ODIs and 72 in T20Is. He would go on to play for Chennai Super Kings in the IPL.
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