Ravichandran Ashwin's sudden retirement has left everyone in shock, including former Indian spinner and chief selector Sunil Joshi. Ashwin unexpectedly announced his retirement from international cricket immediately after the third Test at the Gabba, a match he did not feature in, leaving many to wonder about the reasons behind his shocking decision.
Now reacting to the much-debated decision, Sunil Joshi admitted that he was surprised by Ravichandran Ashwin's withdrawal, especially as there was no clear explanation of the events that might have unfolded between the second and third Tests that forced to suddenly take that call.
Sunil Joshi surprised by Ravichandran Ashwin's sudden retirement, calls him 'modern day legend'
Joshi, however, respected Ashwin's boldness in taking such a tough decision at such a short notice, but felt the need for more clarity on what prompted him to retire from international cricket in the middle of the Test series high stakes from Australia, especially when India were struggling to deliver.
Meanwhile, the former Indian chief selector acknowledged Ravichandran Ashwin's immense contribution to Indian cricket and called him a “modern legend”. While Sunil Joshi said the all-rounder's decision to retire deserves respect, he also stressed that the Indian cricket team management, the selection committee and the BCCI should come clean about what led to the decision.
What happened to Ashwin to do this?: Sunil Joshi questions management of BCCI and Indian cricket team
Sunil Joshi was quoted by IANS as saying, “I also felt very surprised by it because I don't know what happened or thrived during or between the second and third Test matches. But again it is Ashwin who has been very forthright in his decisions. So I'm not saying it was a bad decision.”
Joshi also added: “I mean, we have to respect that because he was a modern legend of the game and there's no doubt about it. But again, what happened for him to do that? So obviously we'll have to know because it's been incredible and the board, the selection committee and the team management should respond to that.”
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After India's embarrassing Test series loss to Australia, the future of fast bowling is raising concerns due to the pacers' inexperience and over-reliance on Jasprit Bumrah. He got injured in the Australian tour after being over bowled.
We missed a left-arm seamer in the Australia tour: Sunil Joshi
However, Sunil Joshi remains hopeful about the fast bowling team's prospects, but he pointed out that India missed out on having a left-arm pacer in their Australia line-up. The former Indian further explained, “No, because we already have Troy Cooley; he was in NCA and looks after the fast bowling pool. So I don't think there should be any concern. But we definitely missed a left-arm crunch from that line.”
Joshi concluded by saying, “If a left-arm seamer had been there, then there would have been a bit of a change in angles because most of the Australian, English or New Zealand batsmen are not very comfortable with the left-arm seamer because you take the ball with a different angle. We just needed variety but luckily or unluckily both bowlers Yash Dayal and Khaleel Ahmed were there but they couldn't play and that's unfortunate.”