“I didn’t expect with Sydney coming up” - Australian greats open up on R Ashwin’s retirement after BGT 2024-25 3rd Test

Indian all-rounder R Ashwin announced his retirement from international cricket after the third Border Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) 2024-25 Test at the Gabba on Wednesday (December 18). Following the announcement, Australian greats, including Test captain Pat Cummins and former cricketers Darren Lehmann and Glenn McGrath shared their thoughts on the 28-year-old Indian.

Cummins stated that R Ashwin's decision to retire midway through the series came as a bit of a surprise to him.

“A bit of surprise. He’s obviously a champion player for them, played a lot over the last 10-plus years. He’s had a wonderful career,” Cummins told ABC Sport.

Former Australia coach Darren Lehmann expected R Ashwin to play the Sydney Test. However, he had anticipated the off-spinner's retirement.

“Ravi Ashwin is probably going to announce his retirement… I didn’t expect with Sydney coming up to be honest. Maybe at the end of this series.. We have to work that out. It might be at the end of the series. But it almost look he has said in the media. He would have been effective in Sydney. And may be it’s that sort of love for the game. He is great. Clapping and hugging and I reckon it’s immediate. I am sure we would have a lot of press after we talk. He has been a great bowler for India," Lehmann told ABC Sport.

Further, former Australian pacer and among the greatest in the game's history, Glenn McGrath heaped praise on Ashwin for his outstanding record.

“His stats are incredible. Over 500 wickets in Test and taking wickets at an average of , which is, I don’t think any other spin bowler has taken at that strike rate. His 537 Test wickets second all-time for India behind Anil Kumble’s 619 wickets,” McGrath said on ABC Sport.

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Nathan Lyon pays tribute to R Ashwin after third BGT 2024-25 Test

Pat Cummins, Darren Lehmann, and Glenn McGrath are not the only Australians who praised Ashwin after he announced his retirement. His Australian counterpart and off-spinner Nathan Lyon stated he only had respect for Ashwin and loved having conversations with him.

"Nothing but respect (for Ashwin). Just the way Ash has conducted himself on and off the field for a number of years now, and his skill set is incredible. We've got different opinions on different things, there's no right or wrong. But to have those conversations with a bowler like Ashwin is amazing," Lyon told Fox Cricket after the game.