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In an exclusive chat with CNN News18, Ravichandran Ashwin reveals that while he’s impulsive, he had been thinking of retirement for some time.
Ravichandran Ashwin has arrived in Chennai. (PTI Photo)
A day after announcing his international retirement, Ravichandran Ashwin is back in Chennai from Australia where he was part of India’s Test squad for the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy. In an exclusive interview to CNN News18, the legendary cricketer has revealed that while his decision may seem sudden, he was thinking about drawing curtains on his India career for some time.
“I had been thinking of retirement since a while. I am quite impulsive… it was in my head,” Ashwin said on Thursday.
During the customary post-match media interaction after the Brisbane Test between India and Australia ended in a draw, captain Rohit Sharma was accompanied by Ashwin who stayed for a brief period during which he made the announcement while adding that his India career may have ended but the offspinner will continue to ply his trade in club cricket including the Indian Premier League.
Ashwin was signed by Chennai Super Kings at the recent IPL mega auction in Jeddah (Saudi Arabia) for Rs 9.75 crore. It’s the franchise where he began his IPL career.
“I am happy to be part of CSK,” Ashwin said.
Ashwin’s decision triggered emotional reactions from his India teammates and fans alike. There were plenty of messages on social media where users have expressed their disappointment at the decision.
“I am happy that fans are upset,” Ashwin quipped.
Ashwin made his international debut in 2010 was part of India squad that won the 2011 ODI World Cup. He went on to play 106 Tests, 116 ODIs and 65 T20Is.
One of the finest cricketers to have represented India, Ashwin retires with 765 wickets across formats. 537 of his international scalps came in Test cricket where he finishes as India’s second highest wicket-taker after the legendary Anil Kumble. He also tasted success with the bat, scoring six hundreds and 15 half-centuries.
Ashwin won 11 player-of-the-series awards during his storied career which is the joint-highest in world cricket alongside Muttiah Muralitharan.
