Former Indian cricketer Aakash Chopra has weighed in on Ravichandran Ashwin’s sudden retirement from international cricket, calling it a sign of the Indian Test team entering a critical transition phase. Chopra suggested that Ashwin’s decision might have stemmed from growing frustration, particularly after being dropped following the Pink-ball Test during the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) 2024-25.
Ashwin, one of India’s most successful Test bowlers, announced his retirement after the third Test against Australia in Brisbane ended in a draw. The 37-year-old off-spinner was not included in the first Test in Perth but featured in the second Test in Adelaide. Despite a reasonable performance, he was dropped for the third Test at the Gabba, where all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja impressed with a strong batting display.
In a video posted on his YouTube channel, Aakash Chopra delved into Ashwin’s mindset leading up to his retirement. He noted that Ashwin, over time, seemed to have come to terms with not being India’s first-choice spinner in overseas conditions. However, being dropped after the Pink-ball Test appeared to have been the final straw.
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“There comes a moment in every player’s career when they question if they want to continue. Ashwin likely felt this way for some time, knowing he wasn’t the preferred spinner in overseas games. He made peace with it when Jadeja was picked ahead of him. But when Washington Sundar played in Perth, and Ashwin was left out for the Gabba Test despite performing decently in Adelaide, he probably decided he’d had enough,” Aakash Chopra explained.
Chopra also highlighted the lack of communication around Ashwin’s role in the team as a potential factor. He believes that a conversation convincing Ashwin to stay for the upcoming England tour or the subsequent home series could have altered his decision. However, such a dialogue never occurred, leaving Ashwin to independently choose to step away.
“If someone had told Ashwin to stay because he’d be needed in England or that a home series was around the corner, things might have been different. But I feel no one had that conversation with him,” Aakash Chopra remarked.
The timing of Ashwin’s retirement mid-series, according to Chopra, poses questions about team composition and balance. He acknowledged that retiring during an active series, especially one as tightly contested as the BGT, is generally not ideal and signals deeper issues within the team setup.
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Chopra sees Ashwin’s departure as the beginning of a broader shift in Indian cricket. “This is now the official start of the transition. Ashwin’s retirement has set the wheel in motion. Over the next few weeks, more players might follow. By mid-January, we’ll have a clearer picture of the future direction of this Indian Test side,” Aakash Chopra concluded.
Ashwin’s retirement not only leaves a void in the Indian bowling lineup but also raises questions about the team’s strategy and planning as they navigate this transition phase.
