Ashwin announced his international retirement midway through the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
India’s ace spinner Ravichandran Ashwin announced his retirement from international cricket with immediate effect last month.
The 38-year-old confirmed the decision while addressing the media in Brisbane, where the third Border-Gavaskar Trophy Test ended in a draw.
Ashwin’s sudden call shocked the entire cricket fraternity, including the legendary Anil Kumble and Kapil Dev, who suggested that the off-spinner deserved a fitting farewell.
However, Ashwin himself firmly opposed the concept of grand farewells on Tuesday (January 14), stating it wasn’t something he desired or deemed necessary.
"I think a lot. What to do in life. You all need to understand that this happens instinctively. If someone gets to know their job is done, once that thinking comes, there is nothing to think. People said a lot of things. I don't think it is a big deal," Ashwin said while speaking on his YouTube channel.
Reflecting on the circumstances of his retirement, Ashwin added: "You think what happened. I did not play the first Test. I played the second, did not play the third. It was possible I could play the next or not play the next. This is a side of my creativity and I was looking to explore it. At that time, I felt my creativity was over, so it was over. It was simple."
Addressing the idea of a farewell game, Ashwin said, "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 also talked about his commitment to cricket beyond the Indian dressing room. "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 a 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."
He expressed satisfaction with his timing, stating, "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.'"