Washington Sundar blamed for Ravichandran Ashwin's retirement

Ravichandran Ashwin's sudden retirement from international cricket has left fans and experts in shock, and now, Subramaniam Badrinath has reignited the debate with bold claims about the legendary off-spinner’s journey with the Indian cricket team.

The former Chennai Super Kings (CSK) bowler has pointed fingers at years of alleged mistreatment faced by Ashwin and blamed deeper issues behind the spin maestro’s shocking call in the middle of the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25.

Subramaniam Badrinath reveals what led to Ravichandran Ashwin's decision

Subramaniam Badrinath said that Ravichandran Ashwin wasn’t given the respect he deserved, and he was shocked to learn that the all-rounder called time on his international career right after the Gabba Test ended in a draw in Brisbane between India and Australia.

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Badrinath claimed that Ashwin was not treated fairly by the Indian cricket team management, as he mentioned how the skipper Rohit Sharma revealed that the Tamil Nadu star wanted to retire after the first Test against Australia in Perth, saying this thinking exposes all the drama behind the scenes.

Ravichandran Ashwin wanted to leave when Washington Sundar was played ahead of him: Badrinath

According to Badrinath, Ravichandran Ashwin was not happy when Washington Sundar was preferred over him for the Perth Test, and then once again, he was overlooked for Ravindra Jadeja for the Gabba Test after playing in the Adelaide Test, and it forced him to take the call on his international career.

Subramaniam Badrinath said on Star Sports Tamil: “I am shocked. I think, to be honest, he wasn't treated fairly. Rohit Sharma said he wanted to leave after the Perth Test match. He wanted to leave when Washington Sundar was played ahead of him. That tells you he was not happy.”

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Meanwhile, Badrinath didn’t hold back in emphasizing the challenges faced by players from Tamil Nadu, saying the cricketers from other regions get fewer opportunities compared to cricketers from other states. But Ashwin defied all odds to earn the legendary status and become one of the greatest Test bowlers with over 500 wickets to his name.

Efforts were made to sideline Ashwin many times: Subramaniam Badrinath

The former CSK wondered how many challenges Ashwin would have faced to reach this level, adding more fire to the speculations about the unfair treatment he received on the team. Describing Ashwin’s resilience, Subramaniam Badrinath compared the off-spinner to a phoenix rising from adversity every time he was pushed down.

Badrinath added, “Honestly, I am saying something—it's a big thing for a cricketer from Tamil Nadu. There are many reasons for that. Players from a few other states get better chances. Despite all these odds, Ashwin went on to take more than 500 wickets and became a legend. Imagine what he must have gone through. I know he has faced quite a few things. On many occasions, efforts were made to sideline him. But every time, he has bounced back like a phoenix bird.”

Notably, Ashwin finished his career with over 700 international wickets and he played a key role in India's victories at the 2011 ODI World Cup and the 2013 Champions Trophy. In 2016, he was honored with the ICC Cricketer of the Year and ICC Men’s Test Cricketer of the Year awards.