Former Indian captain Kapit Dev has been disappointed with Ashwin’s international retirement during the Border Gavaskar Trophy without a grand farewell like Sachin Tendulkar received.
Despite Ashwin expressing gratitude for Kapil Dev’s wish, he said that he doesn’t believe in farewell ceremonies.
“I wish I had been there, I wouldn’t have let him go like that. I would have sent him with a lot of respect and happiness,” said a disappointed Kapil Dev.
Ashwin who had a conversation with television presenter Gobinath on a YouTube Show, has calculated that no cricketer deserves a grand farewell and that such ceremonies should also be reserved for ‘Super celebrities’.
He further said no farewell from BCCI did not leave him with any regret and happy with what he has achieved in his career.
“As far as I am concerned, grand farewells are wrong. I don’t think you should give grand farewell ceremonies to anyone. Especially, I firmly believe that you shouldn’t give me a grand farewell.”
“I don’t want anyone shedding a drop of tear for me. I think grand send-offs are part of a super celebrity culture,” said Ashwin.
“Why should we run behind someone? I understand we run behind someone for the love we have for them.”
“But I feel that people should get inspired by one’s achievements, the legacy that one leaves behind, the way one left the game, and the way one has spoken about the game. But farewells are wrong, I think.”
“If there is a match that has been organised just to celebrate me, I think it’s a disservice to the game,” Ashwin added.
“I don’t have any regrets about it. Zero regrets. If I am not happy with 537 wickets, then for what will I be happy?
Why should I be sad about something that’s not there? There is great joy in acceptance. You chase something that you don’t have. But don’t regret something that you don’t have. Don’t crib about it.”
Ashwin retires from the game as India’s second highest wicket-taker in tests with 537 scalps in 106 games. He has made 116 ODI appearance with 156 wickets while has 72 wickets in 65 T20Is.
“I quit this part of my life. It was a full stop to that part of my life. I can talk cricket, I do YouTube, I love coaching. I can keep myself happy around cricket. I will stay connected with cricket.
“I don’t have any regrets; I am not angry at anyone. I didn’t cry even one bit. No one else is responsible for my retirement. If there’s someone, I am not aware of it,” he added.
Meanwhile Ravichandran Ashwin will continue to play T20 tournaments and he will represent Chennai Super Kings in IPL 2025 after joining the side for INR 9.75 crore.
