Ajit Agarkar, Gautam Gambhir ordered to reveal truth behind Ravichandran Ashwin’s shock retirement
Ravichandran Ashwin’s sudden retirement has left everyone in shock, including former Indian spinner and chief selector Sunil Joshi. Ashwin unexpectedly announced his retirement from international cricket immediately after the third Test at the Gabba, a match in which he did not feature, leaving many to wonder the reasons behind his shocking decision.
Now reacting to the much-discussed decision, Sunil Joshi admitted that he was taken aback by Ravichandran Ashwin’s retirement, especially as there was no clear explanation of the events that could have transpired between the second and third Tests that forced him to suddenly accept the call-up .
Sunil Joshi surprised by Ravichandran Ashwin’s sudden retirement, calls him a “modern legend”
However, Joshi respected Ashwin’s boldness in taking such a tough decision at short notice but felt the need for more clarity on what prompted him to retire from international cricket amid a high-stakes Test series in Australia, especially when India he struggled to achieve results.
Meanwhile, India’s former chief selector acknowledged Ravichandran Ashwin’s immense contribution to Indian cricket and called him a “modern legend”. While Sunil Joshi said the all-rounder’s decision to retire deserves respect, he also stressed that the management of the Indian cricket team, the selection committee and the BCCI should clarify what led to the decision.
What happened to Ashwin to do this?: Sunil Joshi questions BCCI and Indian cricket team management
IANS quoted Sunil Joshi as saying, “It surprised me a lot too because I don’t know what happened or progressed during or between the second and third Test matches. But again Ashwin, who was very honest in his decisions. So I’m not saying it was a bad decision.”
Joshi further added, “I mean, we have to respect that, because he was a modern legend of the game, there’s no doubt about that. But then again, what happened to him to do that? So obviously we’ll have to know because it’s been incredible and the board, the selection committee and the team management need to respond to that.”
After India’s embarrassing Test series loss to Australia, the future of fast bowling is a concern due to the pacers’ inexperience and over-reliance on Jasprit Bumrah. He was injured on the tour of Australia after being thrown more.
We were missing a left-arm batsman on the Australian tour: Sunil Joshi
However, Sunil Joshi remains hopeful about the team’s fast bowling prospects, but pointed out that India missed having a left-arm pacer in their line-up in Australia. The former Indian further explained, “No, because we already have Troy Cooley; he was at NCA and looks after the fast bowling pool. So, I don’t think you should worry. But definitely, we were missing a southpaw in that lineup.”
Joshi signed off by saying, “If there was a left-arm seamer there would be a bit of a change in angles because most Australian, English or New Zealand batsmen are not very comfortable with a left-arm seamer because you’re taking the ball away from a different angle. We just needed variety but luckily or unluckily both the bowlers Yash Dayal and Khaleel Ahmed were there but they couldn’t play and that’s unfortunate.”
