Retirement wave looms: Ashwin’s exit sparks more senior cricketers to bid adieu before England tour
Ravichandran Ashwin’s retirement marks the beginning of a significant transition in Indian cricket. The ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy could be the last red-ball series for many senior players. Ashwin’s departure could pave the way for others, with reports suggesting that more senior players may retire before India’s England tour in 2025.
Ashwin, part of a core group alongside Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, Ajinkya Rahane, Cheteshwar Pujara, and Ravindra Jadeja, formed the backbone of Indian cricket in recent years. This group has now reached its twilight. Ashwin’s early retirement has caught many by surprise, as he was expected to continue longer alongside his peers.
Reports indicate that the decision to retire was not entirely unexpected. While Cricbuzz stated that key stakeholders were informed in advance, other sources claimed it caught the selection committee off guard.
It’s speculated that Ashwin’s decision might be part of a broader strategy to transition the team to a new generation, much like the retirements of Dravid, Tendulkar, and Laxman in 2013.
Despite ongoing reassurances from captain Rohit Sharma that spots remain open for performing players, the selectors seem to have moved on from players like Pujara and Rahane. This has led to questions about whether Ashwin’s departure was influenced by subtle signals from the team management.
The shift became evident when Ashwin was overlooked for the Perth Test despite his impressive record. Instead, Washington Sundar was selected, further hinting at a changing direction in team strategy.
As India looks ahead to the 2025 England series, the selection decisions could signal a changing of the guard. It’s possible that more senior players will follow Ashwin’s lead, marking the start of a new era in Indian cricket.
