Ravichandran Ashwin stunned the cricketing world by announcing his retirement from international cricket during the ongoing IND vs AUS Border-Gavaskar Trophy. The sudden decision caught fans and teammates, including Ravindra Jadeja, completely off guard. For years, the Ashwin-Jadeja duo has been a cornerstone of Indian cricket.
Ahead of IND vs AUS 4th Test in Melbourne, Jadeja addressed the press conference and shared his thoughts on Ashwin's unexpected announcement. He revealed that Ashwin had given no prior hint about his decision, leaving everyone, including him, in shock.
"I got to know about it at the last moment, almost five minutes before the press conference. Someone told me it was about to happen. We spent the whole day together, and he didn't even give me a hint. I got to know at the last minute. We all know how Ashwin's mind works," Jadeja chuckled as he told reporters in Melbourne.
"He played like my on-field mentor. We have been playing together for so many years as bowling partners. We kept passing messages to each other on the field regarding the match situation. I will miss all these things," he added.
Washington Sundar's recent performances hint that he may be seen as a potential long-term successor to Ravichandran Ashwin.
"Hopefully, the Indian team gets a better all-rounder and bowler. It's not like nobody can replace a player. Everyone goes, but you get the replacement. We have to move on. We will have to move on. It is a good opportunity for youngsters to grab the opportunity," he noted.
The third Test between India and Australia at the Gabba ended in a hard-fought draw on the fifth day. Ravindra Jadeja stood out with a brilliant innings of 77 runs, although his bowling performance was less impactful. As IND vs AUS Test series moves to Melbourne for the fourth Test, Team India will be determined to secure a win and take a 2-1 lead.