Indian cricketer Ashwin. (FILE photo)
R Ashwin’s retirement after the third Test during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy came in as a bit of a surprise at the time. The off-spinner after bowling well in the Adelaide Test on a wicket that was not conducive for spinners was axed from the Gabba Test at the end of which he called it a day. With 537 wickets to his name when asked if he would have liked to have a farewell Test for his retirement he responded by saying, “Where is the place?”
“I want to play more cricket. Where is the place? Obviously not in the Indian dressing room but from somewhere else. I want to be honest with the game. Imagine if I want to play the farewell Test but I do not deserve a place. Imagine, I am only in the team because it is my farewell Test. I don’t want that. I felt there was more strength in my cricket. I could have played more but it is always better to finish when people ask ‘why’ and not ‘why not’,” Ashwin said on Ash ki Bath.
“What difference will this make if I came out with the ball and people are clapping? How long will people talk about it? When social media was not there, people talked about it and forgot after one week. There is no need for a farewell. The game has given us a lot and we have played with a lot of happiness.” Ashwin added.
Surprise decision
The Indian Express understands that Ashwin’s family had seen it coming, but they too were surprised that it came in the middle of a series. His friends at Ramakrishnapuram 1st Street whom he thanked — for bowling endlessly and giving priceless memories — in a lengthy WhatsApp message on a common group, were wondering what was going on until they saw him address the press conference.
Within the team, except for skipper Rohit Sharma and head coach Gautam Gambhir, the decision came as a shock for the rest. Virat Kohli’s hug, which was played repeatedly by the broadcasters, seemed every bit spontaneous as he, along with the rest of them, got to know only at the end of the Brisbane Test.
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