"It leaves you one short” - Indian legend questions Ravichandran Ashwin’s decision to retire midway through BGT 2024-25
Former Indian opener Sunil Gavaskar questioned Ravichandran Ashwin's decision to retire midway through the ongoing Test series in Australia. Ashwin stunned the cricketing world by announcing his retirement from the international arena shortly after the third India-Australia Test in Brisbane.
The 38-year-old was left out in favor of Washington Sundar and Ravindra Jadeja in the first and third Test, respectively, but played the second Test in Adelaide. Ashwin will be leaving home from Australia with two Tests still to go in the best-of-five series, a decision that did not sit well with Gavaskar.
He was quoted as saying by India Today:
"He could have said, listen after the end of the series, 'I won't be available for selection for India'. What it does is that, similarly when MS Dhoni retired at the end of the 3rd Test in 2014-15 series, it leaves you one short. The selection committee has picked so many players for a tour with a purpose."
Gavaskar added:
"If there are any injuries they can select from the reserve players to have in the team. So, Sydney is somewhere where there is a lot of support on offer for spinners. So India could have played with 2 spinners. You never know. He could have been there for sure. I don't know how the pitch in Melbourne will be like."
Ashwin finishes his stellar career as India's second leading wicket-taker across formats with 765 scalps at an average of 25.80, including 37 five-wicket hauls in 287 outings.
"Maybe Washington Sundar is ahead of him" - Sunil Gavaskar
Sunil Gavaskar felt Washington Sundar had gone ahead of Ravichandran Ashwin in the Indian Test pecking order, resulting in the latter's sudden retirement decision.
Sundar outbowled his Tamil Nadu senior in the recent home Test series against New Zealand, earning him the nod for the opening Test in Perth.
"Normally, you tend to look at the end of the series. That's it. In the middle, it is not usual. Maybe Washington Sundar is ahead of him. Rohit said he is flying out tomorrow. So that's the end of Ashwin as an international cricketer. He has been one heck of a cricketer," said Gavaskar.
Ashwin is India's second leading wicket-taker in Tests and seventh all-time overall with 537 wickets in 106 matches. He also holds the Indian record for the most five-wicket hauls in Tests with 37.