Former Indian off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has publicly addressed the speculation surrounding his retirement from cricket, asserting that his decision to step away during the 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia was entirely personal. He later also retired from the Indian Premier League in August of the same year.
Ashwin clarified these details on his YouTube channel, offering insights into the factors behind his retirement. He emphasized, “No one told me that you should go, no one told me that there is no place for you in the team. Actually, before I took the decision, two or three people told me not to take it, but I took my decision. In fact, they wanted me to play more.”
He specifically mentioned that then-captain Rohit Sharma and Gautam Gambhir had urged him to reconsider his choice. However, he noted that he did not have an extensive discussion about it with chief selector Ajit Agarkar. “Rohit Sharma also told me to think about it, Gauti bhai also told me to think again. But I didn’t talk much about it with Ajit Agarkar. The decision is very personal when it comes to retirement. These are all very individual decisions,” Ashwin added.
Previously, Ashwin had expressed his reluctance to be merely a touring team member if he wasn’t going to be part of the playing XI.
Turning his attention to senior players Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, Ashwin highlighted the critical need for transparent communication between them and the team management. “Virat Kohli is a bonafide ODI legend. The way he and Rohit batted in the 2023 World Cup, they have nothing to prove. I really hope that the conversation happened. Whatever needs to be discussed with Virat and Rohit Sharma must have happened. There should be clear communication with them,” Ashwin stated.
He affirmed his belief in the ongoing value of both players to Indian cricket. “I don’t think any selector or coach will have it in them to say that Virat and Rohit’s services are no longer needed. That experience you cannot buy in a store,” he remarked.
Ashwin also considered their roles in the lead-up to the 2027 World Cup. “If there is any doubt as to whether they will be able to make it until the 2027 World Cup, then I think the direction they have taken seems to be fair. You cannot go leading up to the World Cup with so many question marks,” he advised.
He concluded by acknowledging their visible dedication to maintaining peak physical condition. “There is no doubt that both Rohit and Virat want to be there. The preparation that we are seeing from them, it is an investment they are putting into their bodies to be ready for the World Cup,” Ashwin added.
Both Rohit and Kohli, who have retired from Test and T20 cricket respectively, are currently part of the squad for the upcoming three ODIs against Australia, with Shubman Gill taking over from Rohit as the ODI captain.