India legend Ravichandran Ashwin has revealed the reason behind his decision to retire midway through the 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) series in Australia. However, former India captain Kapil Dev expressed his disappointment over Ravichandran Ashwin's decision, adding that he should have waited.
India fielded three spinners during the first three Tests of the BGT. Washington Sundar played the first match and Ravichandran Ashwin replaced him for the second. Ravindra Jadeja took Ashwin's place for the third Test. Ashwin surprised everyone with his retirement announcement after the third Test in Brisbane.
Ravichandran Ashwin is a very strong headed guy – Kapil Dev
Speaking to Gulf News, Kapil Dev spoke about Ashwin's decision to retire midway through the Border-Gavaskar Trophy series. Dev stated that Ashwin could have waited until after the Sydney Test to make the announcement, adding that his timing could have been better.
“Ashwin is a very strong guy. It is good to see such characters in cricketers. I felt a bit sad when he left in the middle of the tour. He was a great cricketer that India produced and served the game so well but he should have waited and done it differently. However, what he has done for the country is incredible,” Kapil said.
The 38-year-old spinner's performance was below his usual standards in the home series against New Zealand, taking nine wickets at an average of 41.22. Ashwin retired with 537 wickets in 106 Tests, including 37 five-wicket hauls. He was only behind Anil Kumble (619) among India's top wicket-takers.
He might have been injured by being pushed behind Sundar – Bharat Arun
Bharat Arun, the former bowling coach, said Ashwin could have been “hurt” after being replaced by Washington Sundar in the first Test. Arun added that while Ashwin had previously been replaced by Ravindra Jadeja in overseas tours, this situation seemed to affect him more.
“In the first Test of the tournament, a big star like Ravichandran Ashwin was dropped for a youngster like Washington Sundar. That would definitely hurt him. In the past Ravindra Jadeja has played way ahead of Ashwin in overseas tournaments but I don't I don't think Ashwin was affected by it but I feel this time, he could have been hurt if he was pushed behind Sundar ,” Bharat Arun. said.
Ravichandran Ashwin ranks 8th in the list of leading Test takers
Ravichandran Ashwin retired as India's second highest wicket taker in international cricket with 765 wickets in all formats, behind only Anil Kumble (953). Ashwin ranks 8th among the leading players in Test cricket. He also scored 3,503 runs at an average of 25.76, including six centuries in Tests.
The leading Test run-scorer of all time is Muttiah Muralitharan (800), followed by Shane Warne (708) and James Anderson (704). Ashwin is expected to continue playing for Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 after being acquired for Rs 9.75 crore in the mega auction.
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