Gavaskar criticizes the timing of Ashwin’s resignation, saying he left India too briefly

Ravichandran Ashwin. File | Photo credit: The Hindu

Batting legend Sunil Gavaskar did not appreciate the timing of Ravichandran Ashwin’s withdrawal on Wednesday (December 18, 2024) and said the premier off-spinner could have waited for the end of the series against Australia as India will now be missing a member of the remaining two Tests .

Ashwin surprised the cricket world by announcing his retirement with immediate effect after the third Test ended in a draw on Wednesday.

Also read | Ravichandran Ashwin’s resignation reactions LIVE

The series is 1:1. “He could have said: Listen after the series ends, I will no longer be available for selection for India. What it does is MS Dhoni retired at the end of the third Test in the 2014-15 series “Let’s give you one more thought,” Mr Gavaskar told broadcasters.

“The selection committee selected so many players for a tour with a specific goal. If there are injuries, they can choose from the reserve players to be included in the team.”

The former India captain feels Ashwin could have played a role in the final Test of the five-match series in Sydney where the pitch could have provided support to the spinners.

“So Sydney is a place where there is a lot of support for weirdos. So India could have played with two spinners. You never know. He definitely could have been there. I don’t know what the pitch will be like in Melbourne.” “Normally you look at the end of the series, that’s not common.”

“Normally you look towards the end of the series. That’s all. This is not common in the middle,” he added.

India chose Washington Sundar ahead of Ashwin in the opening game.

Although Ashwin played the second Test in Adelaide, which India lost by 10 wickets, the off-spinner put in a disappointing performance with the pink ball.

Asked if Washington is prepared to replace Ashwin, Gavaskar said: “Maybe Washington Sundar is ahead of him.” “Rohit has mentioned that he will fly out tomorrow. So this marks the end of Ashwin as an international cricketer. He was a great cricketer,” Gavaskar said.