One of the all-time greats of Indian cricket, Ravichandran Ashwin, recently announced his retirement from international cricket, bringing a remarkable 14-year career to an unexpected end. The announcement came after the third Test of the 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy, surprising fans and the cricketing fraternity alike.

Known for his game-changing performances, Ashwin’s sudden decision sparked widespread discussions about his treatment within the team and his legacy. Former Indian cricketer Manoj Tiwary voiced strong opinions on the matter, labelling the management’s decisions as disrespectful to a player of Ashwin’s stature.

Specifically, Tiwary criticized the inclusion of relatively inexperienced spinners like Washington Sundar and Tanush Kotian during a home series against New Zealand, where Ashwin was sidelined.

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“Ashwin was insulted,” Manoj Tiwary remarked in an interview with India Today. “Players like Washington Sundar and Tanush Kotian are talented, but when you have someone of Ashwin’s caliber, why bring in others and make them bowl more overs than him? Is that not an insult to Ashwin?”

Tiwary further suggested that Ashwin wasn’t given the appreciation or backing he deserved, despite being one of India’s most consistent match-winners. “Will he just carry on after giving so many match-winning performances without acknowledgment? He might not say it now, being a nice guy, but one day he’ll share his experience. Players also need dignity and recognition,” he added.

Signs of Ashwin falling out of favour were evident during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy itself. He was excluded from the playing XI for the first and third Tests, a surprising decision given his contributions over the years. This followed a challenging home series against New Zealand, where Ashwin delivered underwhelming performances by his standards.

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While his omission from key matches hinted at a diminished role in the team, few anticipated a mid-series retirement. Ashwin’s exit leaves a significant void in the Indian setup, raising questions about the treatment of senior players and their transitions in modern cricket. As debates continue, Ashwin’s legacy as one of India’s finest spinners remains untarnished.