Ravichandran Ashwin’s father on Thursday alleged that his son took the decision to retire because of abusive behaviour.
“The sudden change – retirement – really gave us a kind of shock. At the same time, we were expecting it because the insults were happening. How long will he endure all this? Perhaps, he decided on his own,” the premier off-spinner’s father said in an interview with CNN News18. .
“I also found out at the last minute, actually. I didn’t know what was going on in his mind. He just announced it. I happily accepted it. I had no feelings for it. But the way he retired, I was very happy, the other side. Not happy because he should have continued,’ he said.
The spinner took a break from his career on Wednesday after the third Test match between India and Australia ended in a draw. Ashwin’s decision to retire in the middle of the series with two Tests remaining raised some eyebrows. In particular, the fifth Test will favor the spinners.
He played only one of the three Tests in Australia. He retired from the Indian cricket team with 537 Test caps to his name. His Test wicket tally is second highest for India only behind Anil Kumble’s 619.
Ashwin reached Chennai on Thursday and gave a message to his fans saying that he is not done with cricket.
Talking to the media, the Indian legend reiterated that he will continue to play for the Chennai Super Kings franchise in the upcoming edition of the Indian Premier League.
“I am going to play for CSK. Don’t be surprised if I try and aspire to play as long as possible. I don’t think Ashwin the cricketer is done, I think Ashwin the Indian cricketer has said this time. That’s it,’ said Ashwin.
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