R Ashwin’s Father Reveals “Humiliation” as a Reason Behind Sudden Retirement
Ravichandran Ashwin‘s sudden retirement from international cricket has caused a stir. His father said “humiliation” may have played a role in his decision. Ashwin, who returned to Chennai from Australia on Thursday, shocked the cricketing world by calling time on his illustrious career in the middle of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
At the Chennai airport, Ashwin’s family gave him a warm, emotional welcome. His father admitted he was as surprised as the fans by the announcement. Speaking to News 18, Ashwin’s father shared his views on the sudden retirement. He hinted at a deeper issue behind his son’s exit.
Father’s Emotional Reaction to Ashwin’s Retirement
Ashwin’s father confessed the news surprised the family. Still, he fully supported his son’s decision.
“I too came to know last minute, actually,” Ashwin’s father told News 18. “What was going on in his mind I don’t know. He just announced. I too accepted it with full pleasure. I did not have any feelings at all for that. But the way he gave his retirement, one part I was very happy, another part not happy because he should have continued.”
Reflecting on the emotional moment, he added:“(Retiring) is his (Ashwin’s) wish and desire, I cannot interfere in that, but the way in which he gave that, there could be many reasons. Only Ashwin knows, maybe humiliation,” he added.
“No doubt about it (emotional moment for the family) because he was on the field for 14-15 years. The sudden change, retirement, gave us really kind of a shock.
“Humiliation” Could Be the Key Factor
Ashwin’s father did not shy away from suggesting that his son’s decision may have been fueled by feelings of “humiliation.”
“Definitely, no doubt about it (being emotional for the family), because he was on the field for 14-15 years. 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,” Ravichandran said.
Ashwin’s career as one of India’s premier Test match-winners spanned over a decade. Recent team management decisions seemed to shift priorities. They may harm India’s second-highest wicket-taker in all formats.
Ongoing Struggles in the Team Setup
Ashwin’s retirement comes after a challenging series against Australia. He played the pink-ball Test in Adelaide and did well. But, he was left out of the squad for the first Test in Perth and the third Test in Brisbane.
Younger players, like Washington Sundar and Ravindra Jadeja, were preferred. This sent a clear message: Ashwin was no longer India’s first-choice spinner. This marked a stark contrast to his decade-long dominance as a match-winner for the team.
Ashwin’s Legacy in Indian Cricket
Ravichandran Ashwin retires with 537 Test wickets from 106 matches. He took 37 five-wicket hauls and scored 3,500 runs. He was one of cricket’s greatest off-spinners. But, his departure has left fans and experts wondering about the team’s treatment of senior players.
A Shock for Fans and Family Alike
Ashwin’s father’s comments shed new light on what might have been happening behind the scenes. The family stands by his decision. But, the “humiliation” raises concerns about managing cricketing veterans, especially during team changes.
Ashwin’s story shows we need to communicate and respect senior players. Their legacies must not be tarnished by misunderstandings or mismanagement.
As Indian cricket looks to the future, Ashwin’s absence will hurt. He dominated for over a decade and fans loved him.
