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Ravichandran Ashwin’s sudden retirement from international cricket has created a stir among cricketers, with many arguing about the timing of his decision. He announced his retirement from international cricket after the Gabba Test ended in a draw.
The player’s sudden exit after the third Test match between India and Australia at The Gabba in Brisbane has divided opinion, with some former cricketers asking why he did not wait for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-2025 to end.
Basit Ali feels Ravichandran Ashwin’s decision to quit is ‘shocking’
Ashwin, who bid farewell to his best 14-year career, returned home the same day he called time on his international career. The star bouncer returned to Chennai a few hours later on Thursday, December 19, raising many eyebrows.
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Adding fuel to the fire, former Pakistan cricketer Basit Ali has expressed his dismay at the timing of the announcement, as he said Ravichandran Ashwin’s decision to retire was premature. He saw that the dressing room of the Indians was not good.
The former Pakistan selector also believes that if Virat Kohli had been the captain of Team India, he would have convinced Ashwin to delay his announcement until the end of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-2025, especially since two important Tests are still in Australia.
If Virat Kohli was the captain, he wouldn’t have given Ashwin a break: Basit Ali
Furthermore, Basit Ali said that if Rahul Dravid or Ravi Shastri had been there as the head coach, he would have encouraged the legendary batsman to wait and complete the Australian Test series, especially when India still has a chance to retain the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. .
With the five-match Test level tied at 1-1 and crucial matches scheduled in Melbourne and Sydney, Basit criticized India’s head coach, Gautam Gambhir, and captain, Rohit Sharma, for not convincing Ashwin not to retire at the end of the BGT 2024-25.
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Basit Ali said on his YouTube channel: “I can assure you if Virat Kohli was the captain, he would not have allowed Ashwin to retire and would have told him to announce after two matches. Why? Because India will need him in Sydney. If Rahul Dravid or Ravi Shastri were India’s coach, He wouldn’t let Ashwin quit now. It’s too bad Rohit and Gambhir couldn’t convince him, ‘Not at this time; you need these two matches’ especially in Sydney.”
Body language tells everything: Basit Ali
The former Pakistani cricketer feels that there is a surprise in the decision, saying that Ravichandran Ashwin’s language spoke volumes. He also said that Ashwin and Virat Kohli’s hug in the dressing room spoke volumes.
However, Basit admitted that Ashwin may no longer be at his peak but believes that he is still a bowler and should not be forced to retire. He also mentioned Ashwin’s record of being the second highest wicket-taker in Tests.
Basit signed and said, “There are some things that you can’t say but they are still heard.” Body language says everything; how (Ravichandran Ashwin) hugged Virat Kohli (in the dressing room). I agree he’s not the same bowler, but it’s not bad that you put a lot of pressure on him… 537 wickets (in Tests) is a lot.”
