Gavaskar criticises timing of Ashwin’s retirement, says he left India one short

Ravichandran Ashwin. File
| Photo Credit: The Hindu

Batting legend Sunil Gavaskar didn’t appreciate the timing of Ravichandran Ashwin’s retirement call on Wednesday (December 18, 2024), saying the premier off-spinner could have waited for the series against Australia to end as India will now be one member short in the remaining two Tests.

Ashwin surprised the cricketing world by announcing his retirement with immediate effect after the third Test ended in a draw Wednesday.

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The series is levelled at 1-1. “He could have said, listen after the end of the series, I won’t be available for selection for India. What it does is that similarly when M.S. Dhoni retired at the end of the third Test in the 2014-15 series, it leaves you one short,” Mr. Gavaskar told broadcasters.

“The selection committee has picked so many players for a tour with a purpose. If there are any injuries, they can select from the reserve players to have in the team.

The former India captain feels that Ashwin could have had a role to play in the last Test of the five-match series in Sydney, where the pitch could have offered support to spinners.

“So, Sydney is somewhere where there is a lot of support on offer for spinners. So India could have played with two spinners. You never know. He could have been there for sure. I don’t know how the pitch in Melbourne will be like. Normally, you tend to look at the end of the series. That’s it. In the middle, it is not usual,” Gavaskar said.

“Normally, you tend to look at the end of the series. That’s it. In the middle, it is not usual,” he added.

India chose to play Washington Sundar in series opener ahead of Ashwin.

Although Ashwin played the second Test in Adelaide, which India loss by 10 wickets, the off-spinner put up an underwhelming performance with the pink ball.

When asked if Washington was being groomed to replace Ashwin, Gavaskar said, “Maybe Washington Sundar is ahead of him.” “Rohit mentioned that he is flying out tomorrow. So, this marks the end of Ashwin as an international cricketer. He has been one heck of a cricketer,” Gavaskar said.