In the wake of Ravichandran Ashwin‘s sudden announcement of retirement from international cricket following the drawn third Test at the Gabba, much attention has been drawn to the future of other veteran players. Indian cricket captain Rohit Sharma addressed queries regarding the possible return of Ajinkya Rahane and Cheteshwar Pujara to the national team during a light-hearted yet insightful press conference.
Ravichandran Ashwin’s retirement and its impact
Ashwin, one of India’s finest off-spinners, declared his retirement from all formats of international cricket, effective immediately after the conclusion of the Gabba Test. His decision has left a significant void in the Indian squad, not only for his wicket-taking abilities but also for his experience and strategic acumen on the field. Ashwin’s retirement has sparked discussions about the team’s spin bowling options moving forward and the potential reshaping of the squad’s dynamics.
Also READ: Ravichandran Ashwin announces retirement from international cricket
Rohit Sharma on the comeback’s possibilities of Ajinkya Rahane and Cheteshwar Pujara
During the press conference, Rohit humorously clarified the situation regarding the retirement of his old buddies from the side. Rohit clarified that Rahane and Pujara have not announced their retirements and emphasized that they can still make a comeback to the team, as the doors remain open for them. He added that only Ashwin has officially retired, and jokingly urged the media not to misinterpret his statements, saying it could lead to misunderstandings.
“By the way, Ajinkya Rahane hasn’t retired. You guys will get me killed. Pujara hasn’t announced his retirement yet. Only Ash won’t be with us because he has officially announced it, but the other two can come back anytime; the door isn’t closed for anyone,” said Rohit in a fun interaction with reporters.
This statement not only highlighted the playful side of the Indian captain but also indicated an openness to bringing back seasoned players if the situation demands.
Also READ: Twitter reactions: Rain drama at Gabba leads to drawn 3rd Test between Australia and India
