The legendary India cop joined the latest list of ex-cricketers to talk about the sudden retirement of Ravichandran Ashwin of international cricket. Kapil claimed that he would have sent Ashwin off with a lot of respect if he had been there with the team.
Ravichandran Ashwin announced his retirement from international cricket after the conclusion of the third Test between Australia and India at the Gabba. His decision came as a huge shock to the cricketing community, which sent out heartfelt messages for the veteran spinner.
Ashwin played his last in Adelaide against Australia where he finished with figures of 1-53. However, India lost the match convincingly. Ashwin was dropped for the next Test for his bowling partner Ravindra Jadeja.
“The next generation must be better than us” – Kapil Dev
While he was talking at Adani's private event in AhmedabadKapil Dev revealed that the upcoming generation has to be better than the previous generations as they have to move the world forward. He also praised the unique styles of the next generation of players, which is aggressive and fluid.
“The next generation has to be better than us. If not, the world is not moving forward. We never imagined that anyone would come close to Sachin Tendulkar or Sunil Gavaskar. I had Rahul DravidVirender Sehwag, Virat Kohli, Rohit (Sharma),” said Kapil Dev.
“So you get the next generation coming out, their strike rate, their way of playing is so unique. Appreciate the next generation,” he was quoted as saying by ANI.
Kapil Dev breaks his silence on Ravichandran Ashwin's retirement
Kapil Dev also spoke about Ravichandran Ashwin's retirement. He claimed that he wouldn't have let him go like that and would send him off with a lot of respect because he understands how hard it is to retire.
“(Ravichandran) Ashwin is gone. I wish he was there, I wouldn't have let him go like that. I would have sent him off with a lot of respect and happiness because when you leave something you love, it's very hard. and we have to respect these people,” Kapil noted.
#wATcH | Gujarat | On R Ashwin's retirement, former cricketer Kapil Dev says, “…The next generation has to be better than us. If not, the world is not moving forward. We never imagined that anyone would come close to Sachin Tendulkar or Sunil Gavaskar. …Ashwin is gone. pandc.twandtteR.cam/ckjBAZ9ITt9
— ANI (@ANI) decembeR 19, 2024
Ashwin did not give any evidence about his retirement until the last day in international cricket. While many pundits and his fans called for him to be given a farewell match, Ashwin thought it better to move on.
Ravichandran Ashwin Test Cricket Records
Ravichandran Ashwin finishes as India's second highest run-getter in Test cricket Anil Kumble. Ashwin took 537 wickets in 106 Tests at an average of 24. Overall, he finished as the seventh highest wicket taker in Test cricket.
Among other records, Ashwin has amassed 37 five-wicket hauls in his Test career, the second-highest tally by any bowler in the format. He was awarded the Player of the Series 11 times in his Test career, joint-most with Muthiah Muralidaran.