Ravichandran Ashwin's retirement has not only come as a shock to Indian cricket but also to cricketers across the world. Ashwin announced his retirement after the third Test between Australia and India at the Gabba, Brisbane.
After the announcement, he received best wishes from the entire cricketing world for an outstanding career. Recently, former Pakistan wicketkeeper Rashid Latif paid tribute to the legendary opener and hailed his qualities.
Latif praised Ashwin's brilliant cricket sense and even termed him capable of taking over the roles in ICC and BCCI in future. Calling him the genius of the game, he tagged Ashwin as a cricketer at another level.
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Rashid Latif predicts the reason behind Ravichandran Ashwin's retirement
While talking to news agency IANS, Rashid Latif predicted the reason behind Ravichandran Ashwin's decision to retire from international cricket. He claimed that Ashwin might have felt that his career was coming to an end as younger players like Washington Sundar were given preference in the Playing XI.
“(Ravichandran) Ashwin, as a cricketer, maybe he didn't get the respect he deserves in the dressing room; I don't know about that. He wonders whether he will be in the playing XI or not. He is the world's. Bowler no .3 and taking 537 wickets for India is a huge achievement,” noted Latif.
“Perhaps he feels that his career might be coming to an end, especially when players like Washington Sundar are getting preference, so he might decide whether or not to play the Sydney Test, whether or not to play in Melbourne. At some point a person reaches a boiling point, I've been there many times,” he added.
Washington Sundar played the first Test of the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy ahead of seniors like Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja. Sundar is also seen as Ashwin's successor for India in Test cricket.
Rashid Latif pays tribute to Ravichandran Ashwin's career
The former Pakistan cricketer further called him a genius and hailed his cricketing mind. He claimed that Ashwin could take up roles in BCCI or ICC in future due to his great mind. Latif then reminded everyone that Ashwin has more Test hundreds than MS Dhoni.
“But as a cricketer, as a genius of the game, there are many cricketers in India, but Ashwin is at another level. His qualities are of another level. I think in future they might take over BCCI or ICC. because he is so capable,” Latif said.
“He is very humble and you would not even realize that he is such a great cricketer. My best wishes to him from Pakistan. He had a remarkable career. Look at him; as a batsman, Ashwin has six centuries, which Dhoni probably doesn't even have,” added the 56-year-old.
Achievements of Ravichandran Ashwin
Ravichandran Ashwin finished as India's second highest run-getter in Tests after legendary leg-spinner Anil Kumble. Ashwin also holds the most Player of the Series awards (11) in Tests alongside Muttiah Muralidaran.
Overall, he is the seventh all-time leading wicket-taker in Tests. While an excellent bowler, Ashwin was also a capable batsman. The 38-year-old is only one of 11 batsmen in the world with over 3000 runs and over 300 wickets in Test cricket.