Former cricketer Subramanian Badrinath has said that Ashwin has not been treated fairly within the Indian dressing room and he wanted to leave when Washing Sundar was played ahead of him in the Perth test of the Border Gavaskar Trophy.
The news of Ashwin’s retirement was a shock to everyone, considering that India is touring Australia and he had been a part of the squad and had played the Adelaide Test.
Ashwin was benched during the Perth test and Brisbane test to make space for Sundhar and Jadeja.
However, Badrinath expressed his surprise at Ashwin’s retirement, particularly regarding its timing and manner. He feels that Ashwin did not receive the treatment he deserved from the team management.
“I am shocked. I think, to be honest, he wasn’t treated fairly. Rohit Sharma said he wanted to leave after the Perth Test match. He wanted to leave when Washington Sundar was played ahead of him. That tells you he was not happy,” said Badrinath.
“Honestly, I am saying something, it’s a big thing for a cricketer from Tamil Nadu. There are many reasons for that. Players from a few other states get better chances. Despite all these odds, Ashwin went on to take more than 500 wickets and became a legend,” he added.
Badrinath has even claimed that efforts were made to ‘sideline’ Ashwin but he continued to bounce back. But with Washington Sundar being preferred over him in the team, Ashwin decided that his time with the team was up.
“Imagine what he must have gone through. I know he has faced quite a few things. On many occasions, efforts were made to sideline him. But every time, he has bounced back like a phoenix bird,” he added.
Ashwin didn’t even stay back with the team after the conclusion of the Brisbane Test and decided to return home. Upon his arrival in Chennai, the legendary spinner said that he had ‘no regrets’ over his retirement decision.
The third match of the BGT ended in draw after the rain spoiled the game on day 05 and both sides have one victory each. The fourth match of the Australia-India tests will be played beginning on December 26 at Melbourne Cricket Ground.
