Ravi Chandran Ashwin’s sudden retirement announcement from International Cricket in the middle of the Border-Gavaskar series fuelled many conspiracy theories from media and fans alike.

R Ashwin has finally opened up and breaks his silence on his sudden retirement announcement

India lost the Border Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) 1-3 recently, leading to immense scrutiny and introspection within Indian cricket.

The announcement of R Ashwin’s sudden retirement mid-series from international cricket during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy only added to the speculation of potential tensions in the Indian dressing room and within Indian team management.

The news was shocking and hit the Indian fans hard as it was on unexpected lines.

Also Read : Ravichandran Ashwin Retires from International Cricket

When the announcement was made, Ashwin’s father who was surprised and shocked suggested that Ashwin took the call as he felt ‘humiliated’.

This statement put the cat amongst the pigeons and there was a complete media frenzy – Was all not well in the Indian dressing room?

Ashwin later said that his father isn’t media trained and that he should be left alone.

Now, ending all speculation, R Ashwin has finally opened up on his retirement

Ravichandran Ashwin said on his YouTube channel ‘Ash Ki Baat’: “I needed this break. I left the series midway. I did not talk much about cricket, though I did post a few things on X after the Sydney and Melbourne Tests. I did not talk about retirement because I was in the dressing room, and it was very important for me to respect the sanctum of the dressing room.”

He added, “The fan war is very toxic nowadays. You should know that sometimes it is done instinctively. People are saying many things, but there is nothing like that. At that time, I thought I lost my creativity. Endings can be happy also. There is no reason to speculate much.”

After being ignored for the First Test and then dropped for the Third with a knowledge of him not being part of the remainder of the series in the playing eleven, R Ashwin took the timeout call for his career.

“If someone gets to know, that their job is done, once that thinking comes, there is nothing to think. People said a lot of things. I don’t think it is a big deal,”

Ashwin also emphasized that not every ending needs a drama, but it can simply mark a new beginning.

Ashwin on farewell Test

Ashwin also felt that players today do not need a farewell Test

“What difference will this make if I came out with the ball and people are clapping? How long will people talk about it? When social media was not there, people talked about it and forgot after one week. There is no need for a farewell. The game has given us a lot, and we have played with a lot of happiness”. He added.

It’s always better to stop when people ask why and not why not: Ashwin

One of the best spin bowling all-rounders India has ever produced, R Ashwin wanted to leave cricket on his terms and that’s why he felt the time was right for the retirement call. He also noted that it is always better to retire before people start wondering “why now” rather than “why not.”

R Ashwin will continue to play domestic cricket and the IPL.

R Ashwin Record: R Ashwin is India’s second-highest wicket-taker across all formats, behind only Anil Kumble. He has taken 537 wickets in 106 Tests, 156 wickets in 116 ODIs, and 72 wickets in 65 T20Is for India.