Sunil Gavaskar has blasted the timing of Ashwin’s retirement, claiming that the spinner should have decided after the end of the third test.
Ravichandran Ashwin made his shock call after the Gabba test when the match ended in a draw. The rumours started on Wednesday morning when Ashwin was seen sharing a warm hug with Virat Kohli in the Brisbane dressing room as the game was halted by rain.
The 38-year-old spinner would then appear alongside Rohit Sharma in the post-match conference and make his retirement announcement. Speaking to the broadcasters, Gavaskar said that the shock call has shocked the Indian squad.
A Legend Bids Adieu to International Cricket 👏👏
Hear what R Ashwin’s parting words were to the Indian dressing room 🎥🔽#TeamIndia | @ashwinravi99 https://t.co/6wtwdDOmzX
— BCCI (@BCCI) December 18, 2024
The Indian legend feels that Ashwin could have had a chance to make it to the side during the Sydney, where the pitch could have offered support to spinners.
“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. 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.”
“Normally, you tend to look at the end of the series. That’s it. In the middle, it is not usual,” said Gavaskar.
When asked if Washington Sundar was considered before Ashwin in the order, Gavaskar said that could be the case. The Indian legend ended by hailing Ashwin as a fine cricketer.
“Maybe Washington Sundar is ahead of him. Rohit Sharma 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.
