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 looking a bit emotional, set the tone for what was to come. Later, after the Gabba Test ended in a draw, India captain Rohit Sharma accompanied Ashwin to the press conference, signaling that something significant was about to happen.
Both Ashwin and Rohit sat to address the media, and the premier off-spinner stunned the cricketing world by announcing his immediate retirement in the middle of the Test series against 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’ve had a lot of fun. I have made a lot of memories alongside Rohit and several of my teammates,” Ashwin said. 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 sure of his decision. We should stand by what he wants,” 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 shocking. It is a bit of a surprise. I was expecting him to stay till 2025–27 at least. There are 12 home Tests. He could have contributed more to the Indian team. But this has come as a surprise to me. No conversation took place with him even ahead of the tour, and he didn’t say anything in the middle of the series either. We all are shocked and will miss him,” 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 definitely miss a match-winner like Ashwin. After Anil, India had Ashwin. When he came, everyone questioned how he was going to fill those big shoes, but he went on to become a legend of the game. After him, I don’t know who will take that mantle. Let’s hope the system is robust enough to produce somebody new. I don’t think there is anyone on the horizon at the moment. Ashwin is surely going to be missed. It takes time for bowlers to become match-winners, and Ashwin ticked that box numerous times,” 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 don’t know. That was Ashwin the cricketer’s call. He knows what is best for him. He must have thought about it carefully before taking this very big decision. Dhoni did the same. Dhoni also retired in the middle of a series in 2014. This is the second time this has happened. Whether it is right or wrong is their call. They are the best judges,” Subramaniam said.
“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 played 116 ODIs for India, taking 156 wickets, and being a member of 2011 ODI World Cup and 2013 Champions Trophy winning teams.
Ashwin also played 65 T20I matches and took 72 wickets.
WASHINGTON SUNDAR NEXT?
Ashwin has been a vital cog in the Indian setup since making his Test debut in 2011 against the West Indies. He was also handy with the bat, scoring 3,503 runs, including six centuries and 14 fifties.
Who will fill this massive void? Is Washington Sundar going to be the next Ashwin for India?
“Let Sundar be himself. Let’s not expect him to become Ashwin. Let him not try to become Ashwin. Let him play his own game and make his own name. The media should also avoid putting any pressure on Sundar. He is his own man. Let’s see how he takes his game forward. But it’s a big, big boot to fill,” Subramaniam emphasized.
Ashwin also played 116 ODIs for India, taking 156 wickets, and being a member of 2011 ODI World Cup and 2013 Champions Trophy winning teams.
