R Ashwin's Shocking Retirement

In a surprising twist, renowned Indian cricketer R Ashwin has recently announced his retirement from international cricket, leading his father Ravichandran to suggest that "humiliation" might have played a role in this unexpected decision. The veteran off-spinner, however, quickly brushed off his father's remarks, attributing them to a lack of media experience.

Ashwin made headlines on Wednesday after revealing his retirement following a drawn Test match against Australia in Brisbane. The same evening, he returned home to Chennai, where he was greeted with warmth from family and friends.

While Ashwin described the choice as instinctual and something he had been contemplating for some time, his father's comments raised eyebrows across sports circles. Ravichandran stated on 'CNN News18', "I too came to know at the last minute. The way in which he announced his retirement could indicate many reasons. Only Ashwin knows – maybe it was humiliation."

In an attempt to quell the ensuing media frenzy, Ashwin responded with humor, saying, "My father isn't media trained. I never thought he would follow the rich tradition of 'dad statements'." He urged the public to forgive his father’s comments, suggesting they shouldn’t be taken too seriously.

Nevertheless, Ravichandran's comments highlighted an unsettling sentiment. He shared that the family had anticipated Ashwin's retirement due to mounting pressures, hinting at issues of humiliation without detailing them. "The sudden decision shocked us. We anticipated it because humiliation was ongoing. How long could he tolerate all that?" he added.

Despite the controversial comments, Ashwin maintains that he still has much to give to the game. He hinted at untapped potential, claiming he has "a bit of punch left" in him, suggesting that his future endeavors may not solely revolve around international cricket.

The decision to retire seems to stem from being overlooked for key matches, with younger players like Washington Sundar taking precedence for a Test match in Perth, and Ashwin finding himself benched again during the Pink Ball Test. Indian captain Rohit Sharma revealed that he had spoken to Ashwin during the Perth Tests, encouraging him to stay for the day-night match, but ultimately admitted, “he felt that if he was not needed right now in the series, he was better off saying goodbye to the game.”

Despite stepping back from international cricket, Ashwin’s journey isn’t over. He plans to continue playing at the club level and intends to participate in the Indian Premier League (IPL) with Chennai Super Kings next year. As the cricketing world reacts to his shocking retirement, fans are left wondering what the future holds for this formidable off-spinner. Will he rise again in the IPL, or is this truly the end of an era?