NEW DELHI: The scenes of Virat Kohli sharing an emotional hug with Ravichandran Ashwin in the dressing room, with the batter smiling and the spinner trying a bit emotional, set the tone for what was to come back. Later, after the Gabba Test ended in a draw, India captain Rohit Sharma accompanied Ashwin to the press convention, signaling that one thing vital was about to occur.
Both Ashwin and Rohit sat to deal with the media, and the premier off-spinner surprised the cricketing world by asserting his rapid retirement in the middle of the Test collection in opposition to Australia.
“I won’t take too much of your time. Today will be the last day for me as an India cricketer. I feel there’s a little bit of punch left in me as a cricketer, but I’d like to express that, showcase that, in club-level cricket I have made a lot of memories alongside Rohit and several of my teammates. He then declined to take questions and left the conference room.
When Ashwin left the press conference after announcing his retirement, the spotlight shifted to Rohit Sharma. Taking a brief pause, Rohit adjusted the mic and addressed the media.
“He was very, very certain of his choice. We ought to stand by what he needs,” said Rohit.
Ashwin’s decision not only surprised the cricketing fraternity but also left his childhood coach and former India domestic cricketer, Sunil Subramaniam, in shock.
Ashwin played just one Test on the tour—the day-night Test in Adelaide—where he picked up one wicket.
“Ashwin retired? It’s surprising. It is a bit of a shock. I used to be anticipating him to remain until 2025–27 at the very least. There are 12 dwelling Tests. He may have contributed extra to the Indian crew. But this has come as a No dialog happened with him even forward of the tour, and he did not say something in the middle of the collection both,” Subramaniam told. TimesofIndia.com in an exclusive interview.
Ashwin retires as the second-highest wicket-taker for India in Tests with 537 scalps in 106 matches, only behind Anil Kumble (619 wickets). He will continue to play club cricket.
“India will certainly miss a match-winner like Ashwin. After Anil, India had Ashwin. When he got here, everybody questioned how he was going to fill these large footwear, however he went on to change into a legend of the sport. After him, I do not know who will take that mantle. I do not assume there may be anybody on the horizon to be missed. It takes time for bowlers to change into match-winners, and Ashwin ticked that field quite a few occasions,” Subramaniam added.
In the last 10 years, Ashwin has become only the second Indian cricketer to retire from Tests in the middle of a series. Mahendra Singh Dhoni had done the same after the Boxing Day Test at the MCG against Australia in 2014, handing over the captaincy to Virat Kohli, who led the team in the final Test of that series at the SCG.
“I do not know. That was Ashwin the cricketer’s name. He is aware of what’s finest for him. He will need to have thought of it fastidiously earlier than taking this very large choice. Dhoni did the identical. Dhoni also retired in the middle of a collection in 2014. This is the second time this has occurred. They are one of the best judges.
“Maybe he got the news that he wouldn’t be playing the remaining two Tests. God knows. I am just speculating. It is his call whether it is right or wrong,” he added.
Ashwin also performed 116 ODIs for India, taking 156 wickets, and being a member of 2011 ODI World Cup and 2013 Champions Trophy successful groups.
Ashwin also performed 65 T20I matches and took 72 wickets.
WASHINGTON SUNDAR NEXT?
Ashwin has been a significant cog in the Indian setup since making his Test debut in 2011 in opposition to the West Indies. He was also useful with the bat, scoring 3,503 runs, together with six centuries and 14 fifties.
Who will fill this huge void? Is Washington Sundar going to be the following Ashwin for India?
“Let Sundar be himself. Let’s not anticipate him to change into Ashwin. Let him not attempt to change into Ashwin. Let him play his personal sport and make his personal identify. The media ought to also keep away from placing any stress on Sundar. He is his personal man Let’s see how he takes his sport ahead,” Subramaniam emphasised.
Ashwin also performed 116 ODIs for India, taking 156 wickets, and being a member of 2011 ODI World Cup and 2013 Champions Trophy successful groups.
R Ashwin and MS Dhoni (X Photo)
