The Indian cricket team is currently navigating a period of transition in Test matches. This shift became apparent after the third Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy when R Ashwin unexpectedly announced his retirement from international cricket.
Ashwin participated in the second Test but opted for immediate retirement, returning home the day after the third Test at the Gabba in Brisbane.
This abrupt decision sparked discussions regarding the team management’s approach to the esteemed spinner. Anil Kumble, another Indian cricket legend, expressed his annoyance with the way it was handled.
In a Sportstar column, Kumble shared his belief that Ashwin deserved a more fitting farewell. He felt a structured plan for Ashwin’s exit should have been in place.
“Players who have contributed for such a long period deserve a grand farewell. They need to be sat down and offered an appropriate plan on how you want them to leave the game. I was very disappointed with the way Ashwin left,” wrote Ashwin in his column.
“Many cricketers in the past missed out on a farewell, too. The kind of benchmarks he has set won’t be easy for anyone to live up to. He served Indian cricket with distinction.”
Ashwin retired as India’s second-highest wicket-taker in Test matches, trailing only Kumble himself. Kumble finished his career with 619 wickets, while Ashwin had 537.
Kumble revealed he had encouraged Ashwin to aim for 600 wickets and subsequently 619. He believed Ashwin had the potential to achieve these milestones.
“I remember telling Ashwin he should get to 600 when he crossed the 500 mark — and then 619. The way he was going, he had a very good chance. He didn’t have a great series against New Zealand, but that was one in 14 years.”
Kumble was left equally “perplexed” by the team management’s decision over the years to not use him in overseas conditions.
“Unfortunately, the team management did not consistently select Ashwin to play in England, South Africa, and Australia, which has always perplexed me. With Ravindra Jadeja bowling in tandem, India could have had these two in every match. Ashwin has consistently picked wickets on every surface he has played on. So to typecast him as a spinner, mostly in subcontinent conditions, is not fair,” wrote Kumble.
Ashwin’s performance against New Zealand was unusually lacklustre, managing only nine wickets in three Test matches. This series marked India’s first-ever whitewash defeat in a three-Test home series.
It was also India’s first Test series loss at home since 2012. This series underscored the changing dynamics within the Indian Test cricket landscape.
