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After playing 106 Tests for India, in which he accounted for the dismissal of 537 batters, Ashwin announced his retirement from international cricket on December 18.
R Ashwin announced his retirement from international cricket on December 18. (Picture Credit: AP)
Legendary Indian spinner Ravichandran Ashwin announced his retirement from international cricket on Wednesday, December 18. The 38-year-old cricketer from Chennai attended India’s post-match press conference after the conclusion of the third Test against Australia in Brisbane and informed mediapersons about his decision. Ashwin’s decision to quit international cricket with immediate effect came as a surprise for many fans and former greats of the game. Many former Indian players feel Ashwin could have easily played for a couple of years more.
After Ashwin’s quit international cricket, his former India, CSK, and state teammate Subramaniam Badrinath said that he feels the 38-year-old spinner, who accounted for the dismissal of 537 batters in 106 matches for India played during his 14-year-long Test career, was not given the respect he deserved.
“I am shocked. I think, to be honest, he wasn’t treated fairly. Rohit Sharma said he wanted to leave after the Perth Test match. He wanted to leave when Washington Sundar was played ahead of him. That tells you he was not happy,” Badrinath told Star Sports Tamil.
“Honestly, I am saying something—it’s a big thing for a cricketer from Tamil Nadu. There are many reasons for that. Players from a few other states get better chances. Despite all these odds, Ashwin went on to take more than 500 wickets and became a legend. Imagine what he must have gone through. I know he has faced quite a few things. On many occasions, efforts were made to sideline him. But every time, he has bounced back like a phoenix bird,” he added.
The 44-year-old cricketer from Tamil Nadu, who played 2 Tests, 7 ODIs, and 1 T20I for India during his four-year-long career, said that Ashwin deserved a grand farewell and suggested that players from other states might not have faced the same treatment.
“He can quit cricket, but this is not the way he should have gone out. It should have been a glorious exit. He deserved a glorious exit. It’s not fair; it’s not right.”
“He has not been treated properly. I have closely followed his progress. Because he is from Tamil Nadu, he has faced this. If you ask me if it would have happened with a cricketer from any other state, I don’t think so. I feel bad for Ashwin. This exit should not have been like this,” Badrinath added.
