“My dad isn’t media trained” - Ravichandran Ashwin reacts to father’s interview claiming spinner retired due to humiliation
Retired Indian cricketer Ravichandran Ashwin has clarified that his father is not media trained after a seemingly explosive statement on his son sidelining himself from international cricket. With a user on X suggesting that the cricketer clears the statement, the veteran requested to leave his father alone.
The champion off-spinner announced his sudden retirement after the third Border Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) Test between India and Australia in Brisbane. However, speaking to News18 on Thursday (December 19), the retired cricketer's father revealed that his son was facing humiliation for far too long and could not take it. He stated that the decision was shocking for him too. He said:
"The sudden change – retirement – gave us really kind of a shock. At the same time, we were expecting it because humiliation was going on. How long he can tolerate all those things? Probably, he would have decided on his own. I too came to know last minute, actually. What was going on in his mind I don’t know. He just announced."
Responding to the user on X, the Tamil Nadu-born cricketer wrote:
"My dad isn’t media trained, dey father enna da ithelaam. I never thought you would follow this rich tradition of “dad statements." Request you all to forgive him and leave him alone."
The veteran is the most prolific off-spinner produced by India and finishes as the second-highest wicket-taker for the country with 537 Test scalps. However, he played one out of the three Tests held in Australia in the BGT 2024-25 series.
Ravichandran Ashwin keen to prolong his IPL career
Having arrived in Chennai on Thursday, the 38-year-old said the cricketer in him is far from done. Confirming that he is going to play for the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in the IPL, he said, as quoted by ESPN Cricinfo:
"I think that part for me is still burning bright. I am going to play for CSK and don't be surprised if I aspire to play for as long as I can. I don't think Ashwin the cricketer is done, I think only Ashwin the Indian cricketer called time. That's it."
The Chennai Super Kings purchased him in the IPL 2025 auction for ₹9.75 crore.