Shocking details of Ravichandran Ashwin’s sudden retirement will be revealed soon, claims former Australian star
The Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 saw one of the most shocking moments in cricket history when Ravichandran Ashwin announced his retirement from international cricket in the middle of a five-match Test series that Australia beat India 3-1 last week.
Now, a former Australian cricketer Brad Haddin overcame Ravichandran Ashwin’s unexpected decision with a no-holds-barred analysis. Haddin pointed out that India had overlooked Ashwin for Washington Sundar for the Perth Test, and it hurt the ace off-spinner’s ego, and he suddenly decided to accept a call-up for his international career during the third Test at the Gabba.
Brad Haddin explains the ego blow that led to Ravichandran Ashwin’s sudden departure from International Cricket
Notably, India experimented with their spin attack on the Australian tour, with Washington Sundar playing in the first Test, while Ashwin got a chance in the second Test before making way for Ravindra Jadeja in the third Test, which dented his ego and his pride took a hit.
Well, Brad Haddin suggested that Ravichandran Ashwin’s frustration boiled over as India rotated their spinners. Sundar was cleared for the opening Test, while the former all-rounder was brought back for the Adelaide Test, only to be replaced by Jadeja in Brisbane. However, India continued with Jadeja till the end of BGT 2024-25.
The former Australian player believes Ashwin’s mid-series retirement from international cricket was influenced by frustration at not being recognized as India’s best player, with Sundar getting the chance ahead of him.
Ashwin’s mid-series retirement was laughable: Brad Haddin
Brad Haddin noted that Ravichandran Ashwin, with his elite record, was unhappy with the rotation in and out of the team and decided to retire. He also hinted that there could be multiple reasons behind Ashwin’s retirement call.
Speaking at Willow Talk, Brad Haddin said: “Ashwin’s withdrawal in the middle of the series was ridiculous. I don’t think we’ve heard the last of it yet. I think he was just joking about not getting elected. I think he sees himself as the number one spinner. His record is elite, and he just said, ‘You know what? I don’t sit on the bench. If you can’t conclude that I’m your best spinner, I’m done. I’ve played enough. I don’t need this.’ I don’t think we’ve heard the end of it.”
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Namely, Ravichandran Ashwin’s retirement from international cricket revealed an unexpected coincidence that caught the attention of fans. Both his last Test and T20I matches ended similarly at the same venue. His last Test was against Australia at the Adelaide Oval, where India suffered a 10-wicket defeat.
Adelaide Oval marks a bitter end to Ashwin’s Test and T20I career
Similarly, Ashwin’s last T20I match was against England in the semi-final of the T20 World Cup 2022, also at the Adelaide Oval, where India lost by 10 wickets. Ashwin left behind an incredible legacy of 106 Tests, 537 wickets, 3503 runs and six centuries — a remarkable all-round record. Ranked seventh in the all-time Test wicket-taking list, Ashwin remains a legend of the game.
He will continue to play in IPL and domestic cricket. Namely, India could only win the first Test on the tour of Australia and drew the third Test, while the hosts won three Tests and lifted the Border-Gavaskar Trophy after 10 years.
