R Ashwin's Childhood Coach on Retirement: “Didn’t Expect Him to Step Away Yet”

Indian cricket icon Ravichandran Ashwin took the cricketing world by storm as he announced his retirement from international cricket on December 18. The news came in after India's drawn Gabba Test against Australia. Many, including his childhood coach Sunil Subramanian, were shocked, as he felt Ashwin could still have competed in the 2025-2027 World Test Championship cycle.

Ashwin announced it in the post-match press conference, declaring his retirement from all formats. Indian captain Rohit Sharma later stated that Ashwin would not continue in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy and would return to India on December 19. Speaking to Rediff, Subramanian said he respected Ashwin's decision but felt the spinner had at least another couple of years left at the highest level.

Ashwin leaves behind an international career, which has been nothing less than incredible. He ends his career as one of India's greatest-ever spinners.

"I was very surprised. He could have played the World Test Championship 2025-2027 cycle, there were quite a few home Tests, and he could have called it quits after that. But he has retired now, so we have to respect his decision. Maybe he had his reasons,” Ashwin's childhood coach Subramanian said.

"He was absolutely fearless.He always wanted to try out new things, to keep evolving, but setbacks seemed to push him to do better.He has always been a thinking person.He was his own man.It was his fearlessness, Ashwin was absolutely fearless.The brain would always react first, he was an intelligent cricketer, a good-thinking cricketer,” Subramanian added.

Ravichandran Ashwin: A Legacy of Excellence

One of the greats 🫡

Happy retirement to Ravichandran Ashwin, a matchwinner unlike any other. pic.twitter.com/ZgunVWbkmI

— ICC (@ICC) December 18, 2024

Ravichandran Ashwin is a player who was known for his sharp cricketing mind and adaptability. He debuted internationally in 2011 against the West Indies and gradually became a very important member of the Indian Test team. Ravichandran Ashwin played 113 Test matches and claimed an incredible 537 wickets at a brilliant average, scoring over 3,500 runs to prove himself as one of the greatest all-rounders in Test cricket.

Ashwin's mastery of the Indian pitches made a nightmare for teams visiting him. His clever variations, sharp turn, and ability to outthink batters played a crucial role in India’s dominance at home.He took the team through many test matches and turned out to be one of the main backbones of the team.

In 2016, Ashwin won the ICC Cricketer of the Year and the ICC Test Cricketer of the Year, entering the elite group of Indians to win the Sir Garfield Sobers Trophy. He topped the ICC Test bowling rankings several times to demonstrate his consistency in his performances. Ashwin's impressive career will be remembered as one of the best in cricket, creating a lasting legacy that inspires future cricketers.

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