"Convinced him to stay...": Rohit Sharma reveals forcing Ravichandran Ashwin to delay retirement
Published - 18 Dec 2024, 01:21 PM | Updated - 18 Dec 2024, 01:22 PM
Team India captain Rohit Sharma opened up about his teammate Ravichandran Ashwin's retirement from all formats of international cricket. Rohit Sharma revealed that Ravichandran Ashwin had informed him of his decision to retire from international cricket, but he convinced the spinner to delay it.
Ashwin last played for the national cricket team in the second Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) 2024-25, where he scored 22 and 7 runs in his two innings. He also took Mitchell Marsh's wicket, which happened to be his last international scalp. Ashwin was replaced by Ravindra Jadeja for the third Test.
Some Decisions Are Very Personal - Rohit Sharma on Ravichandran Ashwin's Retirement
Speaking at the post-match press conference in Brisbane, Rohit Sharma said that some decisions, like Ashwin's retirement, are very personal. He stated that Ashwin has been a pillar of the team for many years. Rohit said that Ashwin was very sure about what he wanted to do.
“Some decisions are very personal and I don’t think too many questions should be asked or raised," Rohit told reporters on Wednesday.
“If a player has (made) a choice, he has to be given that choice, and somebody like Ashwin who has been there for us for so many years is allowed to make those kind of decisions on his own and we as team-mates have to respect it. He was very sure about what he wanted to do and the team has complete backing of his thought process," he added.
Convinced Him to Stay for That Pink Ball Test Match - Rohit Sharma
Rohit Sharma revealed that Ravichandran Ashwin had informed him about his intention to retire from international cricket when he arrived in Perth. Rohit emphasized that Ashwin should have the freedom to retire on his own terms.
“When I arrived in Perth, this was a chat we had and I somehow convinced him to stay for that pink ball Test match and then after that it just happened so that he felt that if I am not needed right now in the series, I am better off saying goodbye to the game," he added.
“It’s important when a player like him who has had so many moments with the Indian team and he has been a truly big match winner for us, he is allowed to make those decisions on his own and if it was now, so be it," Rohit concluded.
Ravichandran Ashwin Finishes as Second-Leading Wicket-Taker for Team India
Ravichandran Ashwin had an illustrious international career, playing 287 matches across formats and taking 765 wickets. Ashwin was also a key player in India’s 2011 ODI World Cup and 2013 Champions Trophy victories.
The 38-year-old spinner took 156 wickets in 116 ODI matches and took 72 wickets in 65 T20Is. Ashwin secured 537 wickets in 106 Test matches, including 37 five-wicket hauls. Ashwin also scored 3,503 runs in all formats, with six centuries. He is India’s second-highest wicket-taker in Tests, behind Anil Kumble.
