The Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 saw one of the most shocking moments in cricketing history when Ravichandran Ashwin announced his retirement from international cricket midway through the five-match Test series which Australia won 3-1 over India last week.
Now, former Australian cricketer Brad Haddin has commented on Ravichandran Ashwin's unexpected decision with a no-holds-barred analysis. Haddin pointed out that India snubbed Ashwin in favor of Washington Sundar in the Perth Test, and that hurt the off-spinner's ego, and he suddenly decided to take a call on his international career during the third Test at the Gabba.
Brad Haddin explains the ego blow that led to Ravichandran Ashwin's shock exit from international cricket
Notably, India experimented with their spin attack on the tour of Australia, with Washington Sundar playing in the first Test, while Ashwin got the opportunity in the second Test before making way for Ravindra Jadeja in the third Test, which affected his arrogance and arrogance. Pride took a hit.
Well, Brad Haddin pointed out that Ravichandran Ashwin's frustration boiled over when India spun their spinners. Sundar has been given the nod for the opening Test, while the former all-rounder has been brought back for the Adelaide Test, to be replaced by Jadeja in Brisbane. However, India continued with Jadeja for the remainder of BGT 2024-25.
The former Australian pacer believes Ashwin's mid-series retirement from international cricket was fueled by frustration over not being recognized as India's best player and Sundar was getting the opportunity ahead of him.
Ashwin retiring midway through the series was a funny one: Brad Haddin
Brad Haddin pointed out that Ravichandran Ashwin, with his distinguished record, was not happy with the rotation in and out of the team and decided to step down. He also hinted that there could be more reasons behind Ashwin's call for retirement.
Speaking on Willow Talk, Brad Haddin said: “Ashwin retiring midway through the series was a funny thing. I don't think we've heard the last of that yet. I think he was just joking about not being picked. I think he considers himself the number one player. His record is elite,” he said. It's just, 'You know what? I'm not sitting on the bench. If you can't decide I'm your best player, I've played enough. I don't think we've heard the end of it.'
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It is worth noting that Ravichandran Ashwin's retirement from international cricket revealed an unexpected coincidence that caught the attention of the fans. His last match in the Test and T20I ended in a similar fashion at the same venue. His last Test was against Australia at Adelaide Oval, where India suffered a 10-wicket defeat.
Adelaide Oval marked a bitter end to both Test and T20I careers for Ashwin
Likewise, Ashwin's last T20I match was against England in the 2022 T20 World Cup semi-final, also at Adelaide Oval, where India lost by 10 wickets. Ashwin left behind an incredible legacy with 106 Tests, 537 wickets, 3503 runs and six centuries – an exceptional all-round record. Ranked seventh on the all-time list of wicket-takers, Ashwin remains a legend of the game.
He will continue to play in IPL and domestic cricket. Notably, India could only win the first Test on the Australia tour and tied the third Test, while the hosts won all three Tests to lift the Border-Gavaskar Trophy after 10 years.
