Why Did Ravichandran Ashwin Retire? Key Reasons Behind His Sudden Announcement

The cricketing world was stunned when one of India’s finest spin bowlers, Ravichandran Ashwin, announced sudden retirement from international cricket immediately after the drawn Test match in Brisbane during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. The move left many wondering: Why did Ravichandran Ashwin retire now?

Ashwin’s Struggles and Reflections Before Retirement

R Ashwin did not take this decision overnight. Reports indicated that the star bowler had been contemplating retirement for some time, especially due to his prolonged struggle with a knee injury. His family played a crucial role in the decision-making process. According to sources close to Ashwin, he had already confided in his family about his struggle and expressed his doubts regarding his future in international cricket. His family told him to think it over carefully but agreed that he had the right to make his own choice.

Ashwin’s mind was very transparent when he told his family that he would announce his retirement from cricket after the Australia tour, and he boarded the flight to Perth for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy series. However, he was still not very sure about it and had hoped that the series would bring him back into the playing eleven. The Brisbane Test match saw him missing the game, and that led him to question his position in the team and even his cricketing future.

The Final Call: Ashwin Retires

As Ashwin once mentioned at Perth, he again discussed matters with his family and fellow teammates that if not provided a place in the eleven he would like to retire quietly. His mind had a firm decision post pink ball Test at Adelaide since selectors decided to ignore Ashwin and chose the remaining candidates for the playing eleven. Captain Rohit Sharma also said that he had attempted to persuade Ashwin to continue for the series but respected his decision when it was obvious that Ashwin no longer felt needed.

Ashwin’s retirement was a bittersweet moment for the cricketing fraternity, especially considering his outstanding contributions to Indian cricket. With over 700 international wickets, including pivotal performances in the Gavaskar Trophy series, his departure marks the end of an era in Indian spin bowling. Fans and cricket enthusiasts were left to reflect on his remarkable career, which included key performances in both domestic and international cricket, particularly in the India vs Australia series.

R Ashwin’s Legacy in the Gavaskar Trophy and Beyond

Ashwin’s retirement is particularly crucial in the context of long-standing success in the India vs Australia rivalry. Over the years, his performances in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy have been exemplary, and he has often been the backbone of India’s spin attack, delivering crucial breakthroughs in pivotal moments. Whether he threw those memorable spells of the 2017 series back at home or his contribution down under in Australia, his skills and consistency were integral for India to excel at the game of international cricket.

While his retirement shocked many, Ashwin’s decision to retire must have been the culmination of a mix of reasons, including injury struggles, the uncertainty of his place in the squad, and, most importantly, reflection on his journey. Players, in international cricket, are often made to make difficult decisions, and Ashwin’s was undoubtedly one that required deep personal reflection.

As R Ashwin retires, fans will remember him for his remarkable bowling and his contribution to India’s cricketing legacy, as well as for the leadership role he played in the spin department. He leaves behind a void but also a reminder of how sport impermanence is and how every cricketer’s time passes by.

In conclusion, why did Ravichandran Ashwin retire? It was a culmination of several factors, including injury, team dynamics, and his assessment of his role in India’s cricketing future. His retirement is not just the end of a career but also a moment for reflection on the sport’s evolving nature and the inevitable changes it brings.