Recently retired Indian cricket legend Ravi Ashwin has diffused his father’s inflammatory comments about his sudden and surprise exit from the international game.
The champion off-spinner was dropped for the third Test in Brisbane, after which he announced his immediate retirement from all forms of the game for India.
His swift exit raised some eyebrows, given he remained a live possibility to play in at least one of the remaining two Test in Melbourne and Sydney.
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Speculation began to run rife around the circumstances of his decision behind the scenes, with reports out of India claiming Ashwin had told selectors he would only tour Australia if he were guaranteed a spot in the XI.
Evidently, that didn’t happen, with Washington Sundar picked in his place for the first Test in Perth.
Ashwin replaced Sundar for the second Test in Adelaide, but was again overlooked for Brisbane, with Ravindra Jadeja given the nod as the spinning-allrounder.
Speaking to CNN News 18, Ashwin’s father, Ravichandran Snr, said even he was caught off-guard by his son’s retirement, before speculating that “humiliation” might have been behind the decision.
“I too came to know last minute, actually. What was going on in his mind, I don’t know,” he said.
“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.
“(Retiring) is his 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.”
Asked if it was an “emotional” time for the family, Ashwin Snr added: “Definitely, there’s no doubt about it, because he was in the field for 14-15 years.
“The sudden changes and retirement gave us really a shock. At the same time, we were expecting it also.
“Because humiliation was going on; how long can he just tolerate this?”
Ashwin is yet to reveal exactly what was behind the snap decision to retire.
At the press conference in which he made the announcement, the 38-year-old opened proceedings with a two-minute speech informing media of his decision, and then respectfully walked out without taking any questions.
Without confirming or denying his father’s comments, Ashwin responded, seeing the funny side of the interview.
“My dad isn’t media trained,” he said on X with laughing emojis.
“I never thought you would follow this rich tradition of ‘dad statements’.
“Request you all to forgive him and leave him alone.”
Ashwin has already flown home to India and has not been replaced in the squad.
The fourth Test begins on December 26 at the MCG.
