Ravichandran Ashwin's unexpected and shocking retirement from international cricket midway through the crucial Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 has sent shockwaves through the cricketing world.
The timing of his decision has already raised many eyebrows, with former South African batsman Daryll Cullinan criticizing Ashwin for calling time on his career at such a critical time Down Under.
Daryll Cullinan dismisses Ravichandran Ashwin's 'selfish' call on Australia tour
Daryll Cullinan didn't hold back, labeling Ravichandran Ashwin's decision to retire in the middle of the ongoing five-match Test series in Australia as a “selfish” move. He also pointed out that the legendary off-spinner decided to retire out of frustration at not being selected in the playing XI.
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Remarkably, Ravichandran Ashwin got just one of India's three Test wickets at that time when he announced his retirement from international cricket midway through the ongoing 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia. Ashwin was overlooked for Washington Sundar and Ravindra Jadeja in the Australian tour.
Daryll Cullinan talks about Ravichandran Ashwin's retirement from international cricket
Cullinan claimed that Ashwin preferred personal feelings over the best interests of the team. The former South African cricketer also claimed that there must have been dubious reasons behind the former Indian all-rounder's call which he cannot reveal publicly, but pointed out that it was a “malicious reaction” to not be selected in the playing XI.
However, the former South African batsman believes that Ashwin's sudden withdrawal upset the Indian cricket team in the middle of BGT 2024-25 and slammed the spin wizard for not waiting until the end of the New Year Test in Sydney against Australia to say goodbye. the international game.
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Daryll Cullinan was quoted by Hindustan Times as saying, “Ashwin should not retire or be allowed to retire in the middle of the series. It was a selfish move, clearly for reasons he won't divulge. It was a mean reaction to not being selected and Can be disruptive for a team in the middle of the series, andit was a matter of weeks. He could have retired after Sydney.”
I don't see why India can't win in Sydney: Daryll Cullinan
Meanwhile, the Indian cricket team is currently on the verge of losing the ongoing Test series against Australia after losing the second and fourth Tests to the hosts. So the stakes are high for the upcoming fifth and final Test, which starts on January 3, but Daryll Cullinan is confident India can turn things around at the iconic Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG).
The former Proteas batsman mentioned that if India manage to win the New Year Test, it would be a successful tournament for them and he has a strong feeling that India will come out on top in Sydney. Cullinan added: “I want to emphasize that if India win in Sydney, it has been a successful tournament for them. I don't see why they can't win in Sydney! In fact, I think they will.”
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Daryll Cullinan suggests Rohit Sharma retire from Test cricket
Speaking about Indian captain Rohit Sharma's batting struggles, Cullinan highlighted the experienced batsman's struggles against pace and bounce, particularly in South Africa and Australia. He suggested Rohit to retire from Test cricket and focus on white ball cricket.
He signed off saying, “I think he is comfortable playing cricket in India and making a permanent switch to white-ball cricket.. The right and wise thing to do now. Rohit should call the time. If he doesn't, the selectors have to make the decision for him.”