Kapil Dev flabbergasted at Ravichandran Ashwin's sudden retirement; issues first reactions

India's legendary allrounder has joined the latest list of former cricketers to speak about the sudden retirement of Ravichandran Ashwin from international cricket. Kapil claimed that he would have sent Ashwin with lots of respect had he been there with the team.

Ravichandran Ashwin announced his retirement from international cricket after the end of the third Test between Australia and India at the Gabba. His decision came as a huge shock to the cricketing community, which poured in heartfelt messages for the veteran offspinner.

Ashwin played his last in Adelaide against Australia where he finished with figures of 1-53. However, India convincingly lost the match. Ashwin was dropped for the next Test for his spin bowling partner Ravindra Jadeja.

Also read: Ravichandran Ashwin's father accuses serious 'Humiliation' by Indian team management behind spinner's sudden retirement

"The next generation has to be better than us" - Kapil Dev

While speaking at Adani's private event in Ahmedabad, Kapil Dev revealed that the upcoming generation has to be better than the previous generations since they need to move the world ahead. He also lauded the unique styles of the next generation of players which is aggressive and free-flowing.

"The next generation has to be better than us. If not, the world is not going ahead. We never ever imagined that somebody would come close to Sachin Tendulkar or Sunil Gavaskar. We had Rahul Dravid, Virender Sehwag, Virat Kohli, Rohit (Sharma)," Kapil Dev said.

"So, you get the next generation come out, their strike rate, their way of playing is so unique. You appreciate the next generation," he was quoted as saying by ANI.

Kapil Dev breaks silence on Ravichandran Ashwin's retirement

Kapil Dev also spoke about the retirement of Ravichandran Ashwin. He claimed that he wouldn't have let him go like that and would have sent him with lots of respect since he understands how difficult it is to take retirement.

"(Ravichandran) Ashwin has gone. I wish I had been there, I wouldn't have let him go like that. I would have sent him with a lot of respect and happiness because when you leave something that you love, it's very tough and we have to respect those people," Kapil mentioned.

#WATCH | Gujarat | On retirement of R Ashwin, Former Cricketer Kapil Dev says, "...The next generation has to be better than us. If not, the world is not going ahead. We never imagined that somebody would come close to Sachin Tendulkar or Sunil Gavaskar...Ashwin has gone. I wish… pic.twitter.com/CkjBOZ9Lt9

— ANI (@ANI) December 19, 2024

Ashwin didn't give any evidence about his retirement till his final day in international cricket. While many experts and his fans asked for him to be given a farewell match, Ashwin thought it was better to move on.

Ravichandran Ashwin's records in Test cricket

Ravichandran Ashwin finishes as India's second-highest wicket-taker in Test cricket after Anil Kumble. Ashwin picked up 537 wickets in 106 Tests at an average of 24. Overall, he finished as the seventh-highest wicket-taker in Test cricket.

Among the other records, Ashwin picked up 37 five-wicket hauls in his Test career, the second-most for any bowler in the format. He was awarded the Player of the Series 11 times in his Test career, the joint-most alongside Muthiah Muralidaran.