Former India spinner R Ashwin recently revealed the main reason behind his decision to retire from international cricket in the middle of India’s tour of Australia 2024-25. He confessed the reason on his YouTube show ‘Kutti Stories,’ in conversation with former India captain and coach Rahul Dravid.

R Ashwin had played only one Test on the tour, in Adelaide, and announced his retirement ahead of the third Test in Brisbane.

The off-spinner was then questioned about why he left the game with such little fanfare and ceremony after speaking to Dravid about the latter chapters of the Wall's career.

“I think it was just the time and where I stood in my life, right? I think I was pretty old, I must admit. But going on tours, and you know, having to just sit out a lot more, eventually got to me,” explained Ashwin on his YouTube channel.

R Ashwin was regularly benched on overseas tours, including the 2021-22 tour of England, as he became the victim of teams being picked depending on conditions.

However, Ashwin made it clear that he had no personal grudge against the squad and that resigning was a personal choice to give him more time with his family.

“I mean, not in terms of not wanting to contribute to the team, but you're thinking if I would rather be at home, spending time with children. They are also growing up, and what am I actually doing? In my head, I always decided that I would retire at 34-35,” said the off-spinner.

Although Ashwin did withdraw from the international cricket scene, he insisted that he was still interested in playing cricket and would be content to continue playing domestic cricket, which offers greater freedom and more time spent at home.

“Sometimes, being there in a certain situation and withdrawing yourself, giving yourself a break from the whole environment, can trigger your passion once again to come back,” explained India’s stalwart all-rounder.

Ashwin retired with 537 wickets and 3503 runs in 106 Tests and 156 ODI wickets and 72 T20I scalps from 2010 to 2024.