The circumstances surrounding Ravichandran Ashwin’s abrupt retirement from international cricket have become more complex as the India all-rounder returned to his home country from Australia on Thursday.
After unexpectedly leaving Australia, which left the cricket community stunned by his retirement announcement, Ashwin was greeted warmly at the Chennai airport.
His parents, who met him upon his return to Chennai with tears in their eyes, admitted that the news came as a shock to them as well, just like it did for millions of his fans worldwide.
In fact, Ashwin’s father mentioned that ‘humiliation’ might be one of the reasons for his son’s sudden decision to retire from international cricket.
“I also found out at the last minute, to be honest,” Ashwin’s father told News 18. “I don’t know what was going through his mind.
He just declared it. I accepted it willingly, but I had mixed feelings. I was happy in one way and disappointed in another because he should have carried on.” “It’s his (Ashwin’s) choice and desire, and I can’t interfere with that, but the manner in which he announced it suggests there could be multiple reasons. Only Ashwin knows, perhaps humiliation,” he continued. “Undoubtedly, it was an emotional moment for the family because he had been on the field for 14-15 years. The abrupt change of retirement took us all by surprise.”
Ashwin has excelled at the highest level, particularly in Test cricket, for nearly a decade. He concludes his career as the second-highest wicket-taker for the nation, not only in Tests but across all forms of international cricket. Ashwin’s father believes he would have continued playing but felt compelled to retire due to the ‘humiliation’ he faced. “Certainly, without doubt (it was emotional for the family), as he spent 14-15 years in the sport.
This sudden change of retirement left us in shock. At the same time, we anticipated it since humiliation had been ongoing. How much longer could he endure all of that? Perhaps, he made the decision on his own,” Ravichandran stated.
Ashwin played only in the pink-ball Test for India against Australia, stepping in for Washington Sundar, who had been chosen for the first match in Perth. In the third Test at Brisbane, Ashwin found himself sidelined once again, with Ravindra Jadeja taking his place in the lineup. The signal from the team management was clear: Ashwin was no longer regarded as India’s top spinner in Tests.
