Ravichandran Ashwin’s father has shared shocking details about the off-spinner’s unexpected retirement from international cricket. Ashwin announced his retirement from all three formats of the game from India after the Gabba Test ended in a draw on December 18 in Brisbane.
Speaking about the shock decision, Ravichandran revealed that he only learned about Ashwin’s retirement at the last moment, which has added fuel to the speculation about the call among the cricket fans.
Ravichandran Ashwin’s father adds a new twist to retirement speculation
Ravichandran Ashwin’s father acknowledged that retirement is a cricketer’s personal decision, but he hinted that there might be deeper reasons, including feelings of humiliation, behind his sudden decision.
Ravichandran told News18: “I too came to know (about his retirement) at the last minute, actually. Retiring is his wish and desire; I cannot interfere in that, but the way in which he gave that, there could be many reasons. Only Ashwin knows, maybe humiliation.”
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Meanwhile, Ravichandran Ashwin’s retirement from international cricket has not only shocked the cricket world but also deeply impacted his family. His father, Ravichandran, revealed the emotional shock they experienced when the star cricketer made the sudden announcement.
It’s an emotional moment for the family: Ravichandran
Ravichandran said that the all-rounder’s sudden decision to retire after representing India for nearly 15 years left the entire family shocked. However, the spin master’s father hinted that he was thinking about this for a while because of the challenges he was facing off the field, including not getting chances much on overseas tours.
Ashwin’s father further went on to claim that the off-spinner was facing humiliation and the pressures, forcing the cricketer to take the call on his own. Notably, Ashwin has frequently been dropped from the playing XI in overseas Tests, especially in England and Australia, with Ravindra Jadeja often favored as the sole spinner due to his superior batting skills.
He added, “No doubt about it (an emotional moment for the family) because he was on the field for 14-15 years. The sudden change, retirement, gave us really kind of a shock. At the same time, we were expecting that also because humiliation was going on. How long can he just tolerate all those things? Probably, he would have decided on his own.”
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Ravichandran Ashwin’s father shares mixed emotions on his son’s retirement
On the other hand, Ravichandran Ashwin’s father, Ravichandran, admitted having mixed emotions, and he respects and accepts his son’s choice, but at the same time, he wishes the spinner had continued playing for the national team.
He noted that Ashwin’s unexpected announcement has left him both proud and a bit disappointed, which many fans across the country felt.
Ravichandran signed off by saying, “What was going on in his mind I don’t know. He just announced. I too accepted it with full pleasure. I did not have any feeling at all for that. But the way he gave his retirement, one part I was very happy, and another part not happy because he should have continued.”
Interestingly, legendary Indian cricketer Sunil Gavaskar criticized the timing of Ashwin’s retirement, as he felt that the rise of Washington Sundar might have played a role in the off-spinner’s decision to step away mid-series on the Australia tour.
