Ravichandran Ashwin's father devastated as son announces retirement; 'How much more can he endure?'

As the dust was beginning to settle on Ashwin's retirement, his father, Ravichandran, shocked everyone with an explosive claim, suggesting that his son may have been 'humiliated' in some way. Ravichandran disclosed that the family was only given short notice about Ashwin's decision to retire, and when the news was finally made public, he felt a sense of emptiness and lack of emotion.

"I too came to know last minute, actually. What was going on in his mind, I don't know. He just announced. I too, accepted it with full pleasure. I did not have any feelings at all about that. But the way he gave his retirement, one part I was very happy, another part not happy because he should have continued," he told CNN News18.

“(Retiring) is his (Ashwin's) wish and desire, I cannot interfere in that, but the way in which he gave that, there could be many reasons. Only Ashwin knows, maybe humiliation.”

The word 'humiliation' could possibly stem from Ashwin's struggle to maintain his place in India's Playing XI in SENA (South Africa, England, New Zealand, and Australia) Nations. While he has been undroppable at home – Ashwin hasn't missed a single Test on home soil since his debut – since 2021, the former spinner played just six Tests across England, South Africa and Australia.

Secondly, while nothing is on record, India went ahead with Washington Sundar ahead of Ashwin in the series opener of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, which could have pinched India's second-highest wicket-taker in Tests. Hence, Ravichandran was expecting Ashwin's retirement, saying it was only a matter of time.

"Definitely, no doubt about it (being emotional for the family), because he was on the field for 14-15 years. The sudden change – retirement – gave us really kind of a shock. At the same time, we were expecting it because humiliation was going on. How long he can tolerate all those things? Probably, he would have decided on his own," Ravichandran said.