What Prompted R Ashwin To Retire? How Gautam Gambhir Answered Unasked Question

Ravichandran Ashwin, a veteran of 106 Tests in which he claimed 537 wickets, called time on his international career after a string of episodes confirmed his status going forward in the Indian team.

The mood in the Indian camp was of absolute content as the players fought hard to pull off a draw against Australia in the Brisbane Test. However, Ravichandran Ashwin's sudden decision to retire in the middle of the series shocked everyone. Ashwin, one of the modern greats of the game, said goodbye to international cricket as the match concluded, leaving several questions unanswered. Ashwin did join India captain Rohit Sharma in the press conference after the game, but didn't take any questions as he made his retirement decision public.

While the decision is indeed a shock to cricket lovers all across the globe, those closely following Ashwin on the cricket pitch knew that all wasn't well. A report in PTI explained the story behind Ashwin's decision to hang his boots in the middle of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25, including the role head coach Gautam Gambhir played.

- R Ashwin wasn't keen on flying to Australia if playing XI wasn't guaranteed. After India's 3-match Test series against New Zealand concluded with Rohit Sharma's men suffering a 0-3 clean sweep, Ashwin started to wonder what's next for him. He even sought guarantees from selectors over playing XI selection on the tour of Australia. Certain guarantees, apparently, were given to him even as India picked Washington Sundar as the third spinner for the tour, alongside Ravindra Jadeja.

- Ashwin received his first setback when Washington Sundar was picked over him for the Perth Test. The spinner's selection, despite the fact that he maintains a similar profile as Ashwin, did seem to have hurt the veteran off-spinner. As a result, Ashwin wondered if he should even continue for the remainder of the series.