Renowned Indian spinner Ravichandran Ashwin left the cricketing world stunned when he announced his retirement from international cricket midway through the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. The sudden decision came after the drawn third Test in Brisbane, a match Ashwin didn’t play.
Brad Haddin, former Australian wicketkeeper, has offered insights into the situation, suggesting that Ashwin’s frustration with being left out of the playing XI may have driven his decision.
Lack of Consistency in Team Selection
During the series, India fielded three different spinners in the first three Tests. Haddin pointed out that this inconsistency indicated a lack of clarity in India’s game strategy.
“Throughout the first three Tests, India played three different spinners. It showed they weren’t sure about their plan,” Haddin said on the Willow Talk podcast.
Ashwin, who participated in the pink-ball Test at Adelaide Oval, had a quiet performance, scoring 29 runs across both innings and taking one wicket. Despite being one of India’s most successful spinners, he was left out of the playing XI for the Brisbane Test, which likely led to his decision.
Ashwin’s Stand: A Premier Spinner Not Acknowledged?
Haddin believes that Ashwin viewed himself as the top spinner in the Indian team and wasn’t willing to sit on the bench.
“Ashwin likely sees himself as the number one spinner. His record is elite, and he just went, ‘If you can’t decide that I’m your best spinner, then I’m done. I don’t need this,'” Haddin added.
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Series Outcome and Impact on India
India eventually lost the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 1-3, with their only win coming in the first Test in Perth. The defeat dashed their hopes of reaching the ICC World Test Championship final 2025, with Australia and South Africa securing the top spots.
Ashwin’s Illustrious Career: A Look Back
Despite the sudden end, Ashwin’s cricketing career remains remarkable. Below is a summary of his achievements:
| Format | Matches | Wickets | Best Figures | Runs | Average | Centuries |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Test Matches | 106 | 537 | 7/59 | 3,503 | 25.75 | 6 |
| One-Day Internationals | 116 | 156 | 4/25 | 707 | 16.44 | 0 |
| T20 Internationals | 65 | 72 | 4/8 | – | – | – |
| Total | 287 | 765 | – | – | – | – |
Ashwin ranks as India’s second-highest wicket-taker across all formats, trailing only Anil Kumble. He also played key roles in India’s victories in the 2011 ICC Cricket World Cup and the 2013 ICC Champions Trophy.
Future Speculations
Haddin hinted that Ashwin’s story might not be over yet, suggesting that there could be more revelations about his sudden retirement in the coming days.
“I don’t think we have heard the end of this yet. There might be more to this story,” Haddin concluded.
Final Thoughts
Ashwin’s mid-series retirement has sparked widespread debate in the cricketing community. Whether it was due to frustration, a personal decision, or other unknown reasons, his contributions to Indian cricket remain unparalleled. Fans and experts alike will be watching closely for any future developments.
Stay tuned for the latest updates on Ravichandran Ashwin and more cricketing news.
