Just-retired Ashwin returns home with ‘zero regrets’; says retirement was instinctive

Ravichandran Ashwin made a quiet early-morning return to the country. File
| Photo Credit: PTI

There was the mandatory shower of flower petals, lots of smiles and a live band too as Ravichandran Ashwin returned home on Thursday (December 19, 2024) after his shock international retirement in the middle of a Test series in Australia, insisting that he made an “instinctive” decision and is walking away with “zero regrets”.

Also Read: Ashwin | A star of many triumphs

However, once he reached home and was surrounded by his parents, and other well-wishers, Ashwin did oblige the waiting newspersons, opening up a bit about his decision.

“It’s emotional for a lot of people, and may be it will sink in (in some time) but for me, personally, it is a great sense of relief and satisfaction. It was very instinctive and it has been running in my head for a while. I just felt (it) on Day 4 and I just called it a day,” Ashwin said, referring to the drawn third Test in Brisbane.

“…it (retirement) is a not a big decision as far as I am concerned because I am going to embrace a new path,” he went on.

Asked if he regretted not being the captain of the national side, Ashwin dismissed the suggestion.

Ashwin on Wednesday (December 19, 2024) announced retirement with immediate effect in the middle of the five-match Test series that is locked 1-1 after three games. He will continue to play club cricket, including the IPL, where he will return to play for Chennai Super Kings next year.

He signed off as the second-highest wicket-taker for India in Tests with 537 scalps in 106 games, placing him only behind the great Anil Kumble (619 wickets) in the overall statistics.

Also Read | Bit of surprise: Pat Cummins on Ashwin’s decision to retire from international cricket

“I do feel there is a bit of punch left in me as a cricketer but I would like to showcase that in club-level cricket,” Ashwin said in a brief statement during a joint press conference with skipper Rohit Sharma in Brisbane at the end of the drawn third Test there.

Before boarding an evening flight for Chennai, Ashwin also addressed his teammates, assuring them of being there for them as and when they need.

“The cricketer in me, the Indian cricketer, international cricketer might have come to an end, but the cricket nut in me will never come to an end,” he told the dressing room in a farewell address shared by the BCCI on social media.

In the limited-overs format, being part of the 2011 World Cup and the 2013 Champions Trophy-winning teams would count among the major highlights of his 14-year career.

Ashwin played 116 ODIs for India, claiming 156 wickets, while his 65 T20 International outings yielded 72 scalps. His career began in 2010 in the one-day format before he made his Test debut a year later.