India spinner R Ashwin announced his international cricket retirement on December 18, after the end of the third BGT 2024 Test series. This was after he had played only one Test in the series, in Adelaide.

Ashwin's decision to retire from international cricket with immediate effect surprised many fans and past greats of the game. Many former Indian players believe Ashwin might have played for a few more years.

His former India and CSK teammate S Badrinath stated that he was shocked with Ashwin’s retirement and feels that the spinner was not given the respect he deserved.

“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," Badrinath told Star Sports Tamil.

“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. 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 played 106 Tests, 116 ODIs, and 65 T20Is for India from 2010-2024.

Badrinath, who played 2 Tests, 7 ODIs, and 1 T20I for India, said Ashwin deserved a magnificent farewell and speculated that players from other states may not have received the same treatment.

“He can quit cricket, but this is not the way he should have gone out. It should have been a glorious exit. He deserved a glorious exit. It’s not fair; it’s not right. He has not been treated properly. I have closely followed his progress. Because he is from Tamil Nadu, he has faced this. If you ask me if it would have happened with a cricketer from any other state, I don’t think so. I feel bad for Ashwin. This exit should not have been like this," Badrinath added.

Ashwin picked 537, 15,6 and 72 wickets respectively for India in his international career.