'He Was Being Humiliated': Ravichandran Ashwin's Father Reveals Shocking Reasons Behind His Retirement

Ravichandran Ashwin's father has voiced strong criticism of Team India's management. In a statement, he highlighted the injustice his son faced despite being one of India's most consistent performers.

Ashwin's father noted that his son's pivotal role in taking India to two consecutive ICC World Test Championship (WTC) finals was overlooked.

Source : PTI

Indian cricketing legend Ravichandran Ashwin stunned fans by announcing his retirement from international cricket on December 18, shortly after the third Test of Border-Gavaskar series at the Gabba. The unexpected announcement, made without the traditional farewell match, has left fans and pundits speculating about the reasons behind his sudden exit.

Adding to the buzz, Ashwin's father has voiced strong criticism of Team India's management. In a statement, he highlighted the injustice his son faced despite being one of India's most consistent performers.

Ashwin's father noted that his son's pivotal role in taking India to two consecutive ICC World Test Championship (WTC) finals was overlooked, as he was excluded from the playing XI in both finals.

In an exclusive interview with CNN News18, Ravichandran Ashwin's father said:

"I too came to know last minute, actually," Ravichandran told CNN News18. "What was going on in his mind I don’t know. He just announced. I too accepted it with full pleasure. I did not have any feeling at all for that. But the way he gave his retirement, one part I was very happy, another part not happy because he should have continued."

“(Retiring) is his (Ashwin’s) wish and desire, I cannot interfere in that, but the way in which he gave that, there could be many reasons. Only Ashwin knows, maybe humiliation," Ashwin's father Ravichandran said.

Upon his return to Chennai, Ashwin received a hero's welcome. Family, friends, and fans gathered to celebrate his incredible career with drums and trumpets. With 765 wickets across formats, Ashwin retires as India's second-highest wicket-taker and a modern-day legend.

“Definitely, no doubt about it (being emotional for the famiky), because he was on the field for 14-15 years. The sudden change – retirement – gave us really kind of a shock. At the same time, we were expecting it because humiliation was going on. How long he can tolerate all those things? Probably, he would have decided on his own," Ashwin's father Ravichandran said.

Ashwin's father humbly acknowledged that his contribution to his son’s cricketing journey was limited.

"I used to take him by bike and drop him off for practice. I did not get involve much in his cricket. What I did was to encourage him to focus on both studies and cricket. At home I used to talk to him that’s all. Rest he did it (on his own). I did not do anything because of his intelligence and brilliance he came up on his own. I did not help him that much in cricket, but on his own and with his brain work, he did everything (by himself)," he said.

Ravichandran Ashwin, accompanied by skipper Rohit Sharma, addressed the media following his unexpected retirement from international cricket. During the presser, Ashwin emphasized that while his tenure with Team India has ended, he still has more to offer, hinting at his intent to continue playing domestic red-ball cricket alongside his IPL commitments.

Visibly emotional, Ashwin declined to take questions, stating he might not be able to respond appropriately. His retirement has sparked speculation, with many pointing to the rise of Washington Sundar as the team's preferred spin all-rounder and Ashwin's exclusion from key matches as possible reasons for his sudden exit.

The fifth Test of the Border-Gavaskar series will be played in Sydney, a venue known to support spinners on the 4th and 5th day, where India might opt for two spinners. Ashwin's exit before Sydney Test adds to the intrigue.