The 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy was one of the most shocking moments in cricket history when Ravichandran Ashwin announced his retirement from international cricket midway through the five-match Test series which Australia won 3-1 against of India last week.
Now, former Australian cricketer Brad Haddin has analyzed Ravichandran Ashwin's unexpected decision with a no-holds-barred analysis. Haddin pointed out that India had overlooked Ashwin for Washington Sundar for the Perth Test and hurt the ace's ego and he suddenly decided to take a call on his international career during the third Test at Gabba.
Brad Haddin explains the ego blow that led to Ravichandran Ashwin's sudden exit from International Cricket
In particular, India experimented with their spin attack in the Australian tour, with Washington Sundar playing in the first Test, while Ashwin got his chance in the second Test before making way for Ravindra Jadeja in the third Test, and that takes ego damaged and pride took a hit.
Well, Brad Haddin suggested that Ravichandran Ashwin's frustration spilled over as India spun their pipes. Sundar was given the nod for the opening Test, while the former all-rounder was brought back for the Adelaide Test, only to be replaced by Jadeja in Brisbane. However, India continued with Jadeja for the remainder of the 2024-25 BGT.
The former Australian all-rounder believes Ashwin's mid-series retirement from international cricket was influenced by frustration at not being recognized as India's best spinner and Sundar had his chance ahead of him.
Ashwin's mid-series retirement was a funny one: Brad Haddin
Brad Haddin noted that Ravichandran Ashwin, with his elite record, was unhappy at being changed into the team and decided to retire. He also suggested that there could be multiple reasons behind Ashwin's retirement call.
Speaking on Willow Talk, Brad Haddin said, “Ashwin's mid-series retirement was a funny one. I don't think we've heard the last of that yet. I think he was just joking about not being chosen. I think he sees himself as the number one spinner. His record is elite and he said, “You know what? I'm not sitting on the bench. If you can't decide I'm your best spinner, I'm done. I've played enough. I don't need that. I don't think we've heard the end of it.”
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Notably, Ravichandran Ashwin's retirement from international cricket revealed an unexpected coincidence that caught the attention of fans. Both his last Test and T20I matches ended in similar fashion at the same venue. His last Test was against Australia at the Adelaide Oval, where India suffered a 10-wicket defeat.
Adelaide Oval marks a bitter end to Ashwin's career, both Test and T20I
Similarly, Ashwin's last T20I match was against England in the semi-finals of the 2022 T20 World Cup, also at the Adelaide Oval, where India lost by 10 wickets. Ashwin has left behind an incredible legacy of 106 Tests, 537 wickets, 3,503 runs and six centuries – an extraordinary record. Ranked seventh on the list of all Test wicket takers, Ashwin remains a legend of the game.
He will continue to play in IPL and domestic cricket. Remarkably, India could only win the first Test of the tour in Australia and managed a draw in the third Test, while the hosts won all three Tests to lift the Border-Gavaskar Trophy after 10 years.