The cricketing world was left in shock just 24 hours after Ravichandran Ashwin’s abrupt announcement of his retirement from international cricket. Except for captain Rohit Sharma and head coach Gautam Gambhir, Ashwin had kept everyone in the dark about his decision.
The revelation came moments after the 3rd Test between India and Australia in Brisbane concluded in a draw. In a brief statement lasting just a couple of minutes, Ashwin delivered the news and departed, avoiding any questions. However, his remark, “I do feel there’s a bit of punch left in me,” left fans and analysts alike intrigued.
A Father’s Revelations
As the cricketing fraternity tried to process Ashwin’s sudden decision, his father, Ravichandran, added fuel to the fire with a startling claim. Speaking to CNN News18, he suggested that “humiliation” might have played a role in his son’s choice to retire.
“I too came to know last minute, actually. What was going on in his mind, I don’t know. He just announced. I too accepted it with full pleasure. I did not have any feelings at all about that. But the way he gave his retirement, one part I was very happy, another part not happy because he should have continued,” he said.
Although Ravichandran respected Ashwin’s decision, he hinted at underlying factors, saying, “The way in which he gave that, there could be many reasons. Only Ashwin knows, maybe humiliation.”
The Struggles Abroad
The notion of “humiliation” may stem from Ashwin’s challenges in maintaining his place in India’s Playing XI during tours to SENA (South Africa, England, New Zealand, and Australia) nations. While he remained undroppable at home, having played every Test on Indian soil since his debut, his appearances abroad dwindled. Since 2021, Ashwin featured in only six Tests across England, South Africa, and Australia.
A potential flashpoint could have been India’s decision to prefer Washington Sundar over Ashwin in the series opener of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. For a bowler who is India’s second-highest wicket-taker in Tests, such decisions might have been hard to digest.
A Shock but Not a Surprise
Ashwin’s father admitted that while the family was shocked by the timing of the announcement, they were not entirely surprised given the perceived “humiliation” he endured.
“Definitely, no doubt about it (being emotional for the family), because he was on the field for 14-15 years. The sudden change – retirement – gave us really kind of a shock. At the same time, we were expecting it because humiliation was going on. How long he can tolerate all those things? Probably, he would have decided on his own,” Ravichandran remarked.
Ravichandran Ashwin’s response to his dad’s remarks!
“My dad isn’t media trained, dey father enna da ithelaam 😂😂. I never thought you would follow this rich tradition of “dad statements” .🤣 Request you all to forgive him and leave him alone 🙏”
My dad isn’t media trained, dey father enna da ithelaam 😂😂.
— Ashwin 🇮🇳 (@ashwinravi99) December 19, 2024
I never thought you would follow this rich tradition of “dad statements” .🤣
Request you all to forgive him and leave him alone 🙏 https://t.co/Y1GFEwJsVc