Gautam Gambhir, Rohit Sharma mentioned as Ravichandran Ashwin breaks silence on being forced into retirement
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Ravichandran Ashwin has finally issued a clarification on the recent controversy that surfaced over his retirement from the longest format of the game. He has confirmed that neither Rohit Sharma nor Gautam Gambhir snubbed him from the Indian team.
India's Test squad has undergone a major overhaul recently, with the likes of Ravichandran Ashwin, Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli, and Rohit Sharma all announcing their retirements in quick succession. The recent first Test marked India's first home Test series without Ashwin since 2010.
Ravichandran Ashwin issues clarification on retirement call
There has been a sudden surge in the retirement of Indian cricketer Ravichandran Ashwin from the longest format of the game. Some have claimed that Rohit Sharma wanted Ashwin to stay, which led to his rift with Gautam Gambhir.
However, Gautam Gambhir has been way off from being the villain, according to the former Indian spinner Ashwin. He has clearly stated that no one had asked him to retire forcibly, and it was entirely an individual decision.
"No one asked me to go; nobody came and said that we no longer have a place for you in the XI, so you can leave. Rather, before I actually announced my decision, many asked me to reconsider it, so I don't think it is about that, in fact, they wanted me to play further. Both Rohit Sharma and Gautam Gambhir wanted me to think twice about making such a big move," said Ashwin on his YouTube channel.
"I might not have had a word with Ajit (Agarkar), since his position as the chairman of selectors is concerned with squad selections, while the decision for retirement is much on a personal level," Ravichandran Ashwin added.
🗣️R Ashwin- Noone told me to "you don't have place in team so you retire both Rohit and GG Bhai told me to think again" but I was told by Macrohard in India that Gautam Gambhir removed Ravi Ashwin but Rohit Sharma wanted him in team.
— कट्टर INDIA समर्थक 🦁🇮🇳 ™ (@KKRWeRule) October 9, 2025
Thanks for Clarification @ashwinravi99 🙏 pic.twitter.com/QgwnkbLHTe
Ravindra Jadeja misses Ravichandran Ashwin in the Indian team
After India's first Test win against the West Indies at Ahmedabad, Ravindra Jadeja, who starred with four wickets and a century, admitted that he missed having Ashwin alongside him in the Indian spin attack. The duo was once said to be the strongest spin duo in red-ball cricket of modern times.
“Obviously, we miss him. Ash has contributed so much to Indian cricket for so many years. He has been a match-winner. Playing a Test in India without Ash, somewhere it feels Ash would bowl now, but then the realisation comes that he is not there,” Jadeja said.
After the initial statement was issued, Ravichandran Ashwin told Jadeja not to miss him as his presence might have meant fewer wickets for the left-arm spinner.
“If I was playing, I would have taken 2-3 wickets from the ones he took, so he should not be missing me. Jitna faayda hai utna lena chahiye (He should capitalise on whatever there is). He is becoming a bona fide legend of Test cricket, I am really happy for him,” Ashwin said on his YouTube channel.
I know that he is showing affection - R Ashwin
After the initial lighthearted exchange, Ravichandran Ashwin went on to acknowledge the challenges that might have been posed in front of Jadeja, as he no longer has a guiding head to talk with on the field.
“After hearing his comments, I know that he is showing affection, but more than anything else, I don’t think he has anyone to talk to now. All of them are new boys," Ravichandran Ashwin said.
"There used to be small talk between us, and when you reach a level of super seniority, you have to think before making small talk to the youngsters. He must be thinking whether the youngsters would judge him, but if Ash was here he will not judge. When Puji retired, I felt the same, we used to sit together,” Ashwin added.
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