Legendary Spinner Ravichandran Ashwin Announces Surprise Retirement from International Cricket.
In a move that has left the cricketing world stunned, veteran Indian spinner R Ashwin has decided to bring down the curtains on his illustrious international career.
Ashwin, who has been a pillar of the Indian Test team for over a decade, made the shock announcement on Wednesday, December 18, midway through the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia.
With 106 Test appearances and a staggering tally of 537 wickets, Ashwin has etched his name in the annals of Indian cricket history as one of the best spinners the country has ever produced. His retirement, therefore, comes as a major surprise, given the 35-year-old’s continued dominance on the international stage.
The rumors surrounding Ashwin’s decision started to circulate during the final day of the Gabba Test, where the spinner was seen sharing a hug with Virat Kohli in the dressing room.
Moments later, Ashwin made his way to the post-match press conference alongside Rohit Sharma and announced his retirement, leaving fans and experts alike puzzled by the sudden nature of his call.
So, what prompted the veteran spinner to make this shock decision? Analysts have put forth several plausible reasons that may have contributed to Ashwin’s decision to call time on his illustrious career.
The first factor could be the emergence of Ravindra Jadeja as a dominant force in the Indian lineup. Jadeja’s heroic performance in the Gabba Test, where he scored a gritty 77 to help India avoid the follow-on, has sealed his spot in the team for the remainder of the series.
With the spin-friendly conditions expected in Melbourne and Sydney, Jadeja is likely to be the preferred choice, along with the promising all-rounder Washington Sundar.
Sunil Gavaskar hinted that the new regime under coach Gautam Gambhir sees Sundar as a potential successor to Ashwin’s mantle, with the 25-year-old having already proven his worth with both bat and ball.
The emergence of Nitish Kumar Reddy as a pace-bowling all-rounder has also complicated the selection dilemma for the Indian team.
Reddy’s impressive performances in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, where he has scored 179 runs and picked up 3 wickets, have showcased his versatility, potentially pushing Ashwin further down the pecking order.
Furthermore, Ashwin’s dominant home record, where he has claimed 383 of his 537 wickets, may have played a role in his decision. With no home Test series scheduled for India until 2025, the veteran spinner may have felt that his opportunities would be limited, leading him to call time on his international career.
