Former India cricketer and commentator Aakash Chopra has shared his thoughts on Ravichandran Ashwin's sudden retirement from international cricket, suggesting that the veteran spinner's frustration with being consistently overlooked in overseas conditions might have played a key role in his decision. Ashwin, who recently announced his retirement after the third Test against Australia in Brisbane, had a distinguished career, finishing as India’s second-highest wicket-taker in both Tests (537 wickets) and overall international cricket (765 wickets). His unexpected retirement mid-series, however, raised several eyebrows and led to a wave of speculation about the reasons behind his decision.
Chopra, in his analysis, delved into Ashwin's mindset, pointing out that the 37-year-old spinner might have been mentally fatigued from the repeated snubbing in overseas conditions. "What exactly has happened? There is a moment in everyone's life when you think, do I want to do this anymore? Am I OK with it?" Chopra speculated on his YouTube channel. He further explained that Ashwin had been aware for a long time that he was not the primary choice in overseas conditions, where Ravindra Jadeja had always been preferred as the first-choice spinner. "This was going on for quite some time. He made peace with it. Jadeja was always ahead of him overseas. So, he made peace with it that Jadeja is playing," Chopra remarked.
However, Chopra believes that Ashwin's frustration likely grew when he found himself behind Washington Sundar in the pecking order, something that may have ultimately pushed him toward retiring. The tipping point seemed to have occurred when Sundar played ahead of Ashwin in the first Test against Australia in Perth. Sundar picked up two wickets and contributed with the bat, registering scores of 4 and 29 across two innings. Additionally, Sundar had outperformed Ashwin in the recent home series against New Zealand, where he took 16 wickets in just two matches at an outstanding average of 14.12. In comparison, Ashwin struggled in the same series, with only nine wickets in three matches at an average of 41.22, marking one of his poorest performances in a home Test series.
Chopra pointed out that Ashwin, having been sidelined for key matches like the Gabba Test, may have reached a point where he felt disrespected. “But when Sundar played the Perth Test, then he said, that's it, I am done. Ashwin played the Pink-ball Test but when he was dropped from Gabba, he said, he was done. You are not serious in playing me in the XI. I did nothing wrong in Pink-ball Test to be dropped from the Gabba game," Chopra added. In the Gabba Test, Jadeja’s solid performance with the bat further cemented his place, leaving Ashwin’s chances of featuring in Melbourne slim.
The situation clearly took a toll on Ashwin, a player who has been a cornerstone of India's spin attack for over a decade. Ashwin’s frustration was likely compounded by the fact that, despite his exceptional record in Indian conditions and his achievements in various overseas series, he had become a peripheral figure in certain series, especially when the team management opted for Jadeja or Sundar instead. His skill set, adaptability, and wealth of experience had never been in question, but the selectors’ choices seemed to reflect a preference for players with slightly different roles, making Ashwin’s situation more difficult to navigate.
Ashwin’s performance in recent series also contributed to his frustration. Though he had been consistently solid in India, he often found himself in a tough spot when it came to international selection. His impressive performances, such as his 5-wicket hauls in India, contrasted sharply with the team’s strategy in foreign conditions, which led to his exclusion at times. With his age and the demands of international cricket weighing on him, Ashwin’s decision to retire, while shocking, makes sense in the context of his long-standing struggle with selection politics and his feelings of being undervalued by the team management.
In addition to his individual achievements, Ashwin’s tactical brilliance and cricketing acumen have earned him respect worldwide, and it is likely that he hoped to continue his journey with the team as a key spinner. However, his experience as an international cricketer also likely made him aware that sometimes, despite all efforts and credentials, players fall out of favor due to changing team dynamics, strategies, and evolving squad roles. For Ashwin, the decision to retire mid-series was a statement of self-respect, signaling that he no longer wanted to endure the frustration of being sidelined after years of contributing to India's cricketing success.
The retirement, though abrupt, reflects the realities of professional cricket. The pressure, not only to perform but also to maintain a consistent place in the team, can be immense. With his exit, Ashwin’s legacy as one of India’s greatest spinners remains intact. Still, his retirement also underscores the challenges and complexities of maintaining a spot in a team that is in constant flux, with evolving strategies, changing team dynamics, and the rise of new talents like Jadeja and Sundar. Ashwin’s retirement marks the end of an era for Indian cricket, leaving fans and players alike to reflect on his stellar contributions to the game.
