R Ashwin retires: India’s greatest match-winner deserved more respect

R Ashwin retires: India’s greatest match-winner deserved more respect

Ravichandran Ashwin, India’s spin wizard, retired without any farewell spell, a packed stadium, or guard of honour. Ashwin did not even get to display his brilliance on the field one final time. For a player of his stature, the farewell was far from fitting.

Ravichandran Ashwin, one of cricket’s most decorated spinners, stunned the cricketing world with the announcement of his retirement. The abruptness of his decision has left fans and experts alike grappling with the void his departure creates. For a player of his stature, the goodbye felt all too quiet, almost unworthy of a cricketer who has done so much for Indian cricket.

India’s most successful off-spinner deserved a grand farewell. He merited the roar of a packed stadium, a guard of honour, and the chance to weave his magic one last time on the field. Instead, his announcement came in a room full of reporters at the end of the third Test in Brisbane. There were no rousing tributes or emotional speeches to a stadium filled with adoring fans. Ashwin’s final words as an Indian cricketer were shared in the dressing room, amidst scattered teammates, a low-key farewell to a high-impact career.

The only solace is that Ashwin walked away on his terms. As skipper Rohit Sharma observed, the off-spinner saw the writing on the wall and decided there was no point in continuing if his services were no longer required. Still, one cannot help but wonder if the lack of a regular spot in the playing XI, despite his extraordinary record, weighed heavily on his decision.

Ashwin’s father, Ravichandran, alleged that his son faced humiliation, which may have influenced his decision to retire during India’s ongoing tour of Australia. While he could not pinpoint a specific incident, it appears he was pointing fingers at how his son was repeatedly overlooked in overseas tours.

World Cup-winning captain Kapil Dev lamented the unceremonious nature of Ashwin’s departure, stressing the importance of a respectful send-off for such a legendary all-rounder. “The next generation has to be better than us. If not, the world is not going ahead. We never imagined that somebody would come close to Sachin Tendulkar or Sunil Gavaskar… Ashwin has gone. I wish I had been there; I wouldn’t have let him go like that. I would have sent him with a lot of respect and happiness,” Kapil Dev said.

Former chief selector MSK Prasad echoed similar sentiments, remarking, “While retirement decisions are personal, a legendary farewell would certainly have been a fitting tribute to his illustrious career. It would not only celebrate his achievements but also allow fans, teammates, and the cricketing fraternity to express their gratitude for his immense contributions. Regardless of when or how he chooses to step away, his legacy as one of India’s greatest cricketers is forever etched in history.”

Ashwin’s retirement marks not just the end of a glittering career but also the conclusion of an intellectual journey that redefined the art of spin bowling.

From his debut in 2011, Ashwin has constantly evolved. His off-breaks expanded into an arsenal of carrom balls, arm balls, and deceptive top-spinners. His genius lay in being both a bowler of the past and a visionary for the future. With 537 Test wickets—second only to Anil Kumble among Indians—his numbers speak for themselves, though his legacy extends far beyond statistics.

While legends like Sachin Tendulkar and Virat Kohli are often hailed as India’s greatest match-winners in cricket history, Ravichandran Ashwin has quietly claimed a unique distinction—being the backbone of India’s dominance in home Tests.

With a career spanning 15 years, Ashwin’s contributions to India’s Test victories, particularly in home conditions, are unparalleled. Of the 106 Tests he has played, India emerged victorious in 61—a feat surpassed only by Tendulkar (72) and Kohli (62) in terms of Test wins.

Ashwin’s win percentage of 57.55% ranks as the sixth-highest among players who have participated in over 100 Tests, a remarkable accomplishment considering the stiff competition from icons like Ricky Ponting, Glenn McGrath, and Shane Warne, who thrived during Australia’s dominant era of the 1990s and early 2000s.

Despite his brilliance, Ashwin’s career was not without its challenges. He faced criticism for overanalysing situations and was often sidelined in overseas Tests. Ever since Ravindra Jadeja surpassed him as a Test batter, and conditions in England, New Zealand, South Africa, and Australia favoured a fourth fast bowler over a spinner in the No.8 spot, Ashwin frequently found himself benched. Out of the 50 Tests India played in SENA countries (South Africa, England, New Zealand, and Australia) during his career, Ashwin featured in only 26.

Even so, Ashwin persevered, proving time and again that he belonged amongst cricket’s elite. His partnership with Ravindra Jadeja became legendary, their combined efforts dismantling opposition teams on Indian pitches. Ashwin’s cerebral edge often made the decisive difference, though his artistry was sometimes overshadowed by the dominance of batting stars like Kohli, Sharma, and Pant.

Ashwin’s retirement serves as a poignant reminder of how cricket often undervalues its thinkers. Even former India cricketer and women’s team coach WV Raman remarked, “If I am ever convinced about something, it is that intelligence is not always an advantage.”

In a sport that glorifies instinct and aggression, deep thinkers like Ashwin are frequently underappreciated.

Throughout his career, Ashwin battled not just challenging conditions and gritty batters but also the struggle to be taken seriously. Despite over 500 Test wickets, critics hesitated to place him amongst the game’s greatest. Perhaps, in time, as India searches for someone of his calibre, his contributions will be fully recognised.

Every time, he went overseas, he needed to prove himself all over again. His numbers in Australia and England drastically improved after the 2014 tour Down Under. Yet, he was benched for the majority of overseas tours, even in his prime, as India picked Ravindra Jadeja as the lone spinner.

It is a cruel irony that the career of India’s greatest match-winner ends with four consecutive Test losses—three against New Zealand at home and the Adelaide Test in Australia.

For someone as emotional as Ashwin, the timing of his retirement is intriguing.

One might have expected him to play a farewell Test, savour the moment, and perhaps have his family present—though they were absent at the Gabba. However, Ashwin is not someone who would complain that he retired without a proper farewell. Perhaps, the spin maestro will celebrate that he played over 100 Tests for India, shedding tears of joy rather than sorrow. If his career didn’t have a perfect ending, it simply wasn’t meant to be.

Article source: indiatoday.in