R Ashwin Reveals Reason Behind Mid-Series Retirement Decision

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January 15, 2025 0 689

Ravichandran Ashwin, who retired mid-series during the 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy, chose not to have a farewell game, explaining he didn’t want to play unless he genuinely deserved a spot in the XI.

Ravichandran Ashwin retired from international cricket on December 18, 2024, shortly after the Gabba Test against Australia. Despite not being part of the playing XI, the veteran spinner chose to end his career during a drawn match, with two games left in the series. His mid-series retirement surprised many fans, as Ashwin had only featured in the second Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25, held in Adelaide.

The Tamil Nadu bowler later shared that he did not opt for a farewell match because there was no certainty he would earn a spot in the XI. Although he believed he had more to offer, he felt it was the right time to conclude his career, prioritizing integrity.

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“I want to play more cricket. Where is the place? Obviously not in the Indian dressing room but from somewhere else. I want to be honest with the game. Imagine if I want to play the farewell Test but I do not deserve a place. Imagine, I am only in the team because it is my farewell Test. I don’t want that. I felt there was more strength in my cricket. I could have played more but it is always better to finish when people ask ‘why’ and not ‘why not’,” said Ashwin on his YouTube channel.

Ashwin Dismisses Need for Farewell Game

Ashwin then revealed that his retirement decision was instinctive, as he felt his role was complete. The all-rounder played his last Test during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, taking one wicket and scoring 29 runs in two innings.

“I think a lot. What to do in life. You all need to understand, that this happens instinctively. If someone gets to know, that their job is done, once that thinking comes, there is nothing to think. People said a lot of things. I don’t think it is a big deal. You think what happened. I did not play the first Test. I played the second did not play the third. It was possible I could play the next or not play the next. This is a side of my creativity and I was looking to explore it. At that time, I felt my creativity was over so it was over. It was simple,” he said.

“What difference will this make if I came out with the ball and people are clapping? How long will people talk about it? When social media was not there, people talked about it and forgot after one week. There is no need for a farewell. The game has given us a lot and we have played with a lot of happiness,” the 38-year-old concluded.