ASHWIN SHOCKS CRICKET WORLD, BIDS A SUDDEN GOODBYE FROM INTERNATIONAL STAGE

The cricketing world woke up to a seismic announcement as Ravichandran Ashwin, one of India’s most decorated spinners, decided to bid farewell to international cricket.The timing, bang in the middle of the highstakes Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia, raised eyebrows. After featuring in the second Test in Adelaide, Ashwin found himself on the bench for the third Test, with Ravindra Jadeja taking his place. While speculation abounds over the reasons for his abrupt retirement, what remains undisputed is Ashwin’s indelible impact on Indian cricket.

In his press conference, Ashwin admitted he still had a “punch left” in him, which he plans to channel into club cricket and the IPL. Rohit Sharma later revealed that Ashwin first broached the idea of retiring during the Perth Test. It was Rohit who persuaded him to stay on for at least another match. Ultimately, Ashwin made the decision to fly back to Chennai, signalling the end of an illustrious career that spanned more than a decade.

Ashwin’s numbers speak volumes about his contributions. In 106 Tests, he claimed a staggering 537 wickets, making him India’s second-highest wicket-taker in Tests, behind Anil Kumble. Ashwin’s prowess wasn’t confined to spinning tracks; he mastered the art of outthinking batsmen, a skill that translated equally well to overseas conditions. His sharp cricketing brain made him a potent weapon in India’s arsenal, especially during their record-breaking home series streak.

Between 2012 and 2024, India didn’t lose a single Test series at home, a feat largely attributed to the Ashwin-Jadeja duo. Together, they spun webs around visiting teams, making pitches in India feel like minefields for overseas batters. As a master of exploiting even the slightest hint of turn and bounce, Ashwin often ran through entire batting lineups with ease.

What set Ashwin apart was his constant evolution. He was an astute learner and thinker of the game. Whether it was adding new variations like the carrom ball or fine-tuning his action to suit different conditions, Ashwin’s adaptability kept him one step ahead. His analytical mind turned cricket into a chess match, with Ashwin always thinking several moves ahead of his opponents.

Beyond his outstanding bowling, Ashwin’s also deserves special applause for his batting in the middle order. He contributed significantly with the bat in lower-order positions, often rescuing India from precarious situations. With 6 Test centuries to his name, Ashwin was by all accounts a genuine allrounder, capable of turning matches both with the ball and the bat.

As Ashwin abruptly bids goodbye to the international stage, what irks most Indian fans is the mis-management of the retirements of its cricketing stalwarts. While Sachin Tendulkar’s farewell was a national celebration, others, like Rahul Dravid and VVS Laxman, were made to exit rather unceremoniously. Ashwin’s sudden retirement feels like another instance where a cricketing great did not receive the sendoff he deserved. Had the decision been handled differently, Ashwin’s retirement could have been a momentous occasion. Instead, his sudden exit feels abrupt leaving fans yearning for a more befitting tribute.

With the manner that this decision was taken by Ashwin, there are speculations that the selection committee’s focus on the future nudged Ashwin toward it. With younger players like Washington Sundar waiting in the wings, the pressure on senior players to make way is high. If this indeed influenced Ashwin’s choice, it raises questions about how Indian cricket manages transitions!

Right now, it is important to know that he was a special cricketer and his legacy will not only live on but also inspire generations. Beyond numbers, Ashwin was a symbol of relentless innovation and resilience. His amazing performances, such as his match-winning spells against England in the 2021 series in Chennai or his dogged partnership with Hanuma Vihari in Sydney, the last time India toured Australia, will remain etched in cricketing folklore. His achievements in white-ball cricket, though overshadowed by his Test exploits, were equally significant, particularly in the early 2010s when he was India’s premier spinner in limitedovers formats.

Ashwin’s retirement also serves as a reminder that Indian cricket is on the cusp of significant change. With senior players like Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Ravindra Jadeja also nearing the twilight of their careers, the team faces the daunting task of transitioning to a new era. Ashwin’s exit might just be the first domino to fall in this process.

With Ashwin now shifting his focus to club cricket and the IPL, one hopes that he will continue to weave his magic on the field, albeit in a different capacity. For the fans, his retirement marks the beginning of the end of an era, but the memories he created will forever remain a cherished part of Indian cricket!

THE VIEWS EXPRESSED BY THE AUTHOR ARE PERSONAL

Siddhaarth Mahan, The writer is a specialist on Sports and Cinema who works as an actor in the Hindi film industry