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Many members of Ravichandran Ashwin's family were taken aback by the off-spinner's decision to retire, according to his father Ravichandran, who also stated that he wanted his son to keep on playing for the Indian cricket team. Ravichandran said that Ashwin's abrupt retirement from international cricket might have been caused in part by his son's humiliation. Ravichandran did not go into detail about his accusation, but it seems he was referring to Ashwin's lack of regular opportunities in overseas Test matches.
Halfway through the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, Ashwin decided to retire from international cricket. Minutes after the conclusion of the third Test match between Australia and India in Brisbane on Wednesday, December 18, the off-spinner made his announcement. Ashwin has now arrived in Chennai on Thursday morning.
Ashwin's father drops massive bombshell
"I too came to know (about his retirement) in the last minute, actually. Retiring is his wish and desire, I cannot interfere in that, but the way in which he gave that, there could be many reasons. Only Ashwin knows, maybe humiliation" Ravichandran told News18.
In response to the question of whether the family was emotional when Ashwin made the shocking announcement on Wednesday.
"No doubt about it (emotional moment for the family) because he was on the field for 14-15 years. The sudden change, retirement, gave us really kind of a shock," Ashwin's father said.
"At the same time, we were expecting that also because humiliation was going on. How long he can just tolerate all those things? Probably, he would have decided on his own," he added.
Throughout the off-spinner's career, Ashwin's father has been a support pillar. Ravichandran, a fast bowler in club cricket, urged his son to play cricket. When Ashwin changed from being a batter to an off-spinner as a youngster in an attempt to make the state's Ranji Trophy team, his father supported him
Ashwin's father wanted him to keep on playing
Although Ravichandran said that he hoped Ashwin had stayed with the senior national team for more time, he has also accepted his son's choice.
"What was going on in his mind I don’t know. He just announced. I too accepted it with full pleasure. I did not have any feeling at all for that. But the way he gave his retirement, one part I was very happy, another part not happy because he should have continued," he said.
For the final two Test matches of the pivotal series, Ashwin decided not to remain with the rest of the team. Sydney will host the New Year's Test, while Melbourne will host the Boxing Day Test. Compared to other pitches in Australia, both of these venues provide more help to spinners
