"Maybe he got some indication that he is no longer in the scheme of things" - Indian spin legend on Ravichandran Ashwin's international retirement

Former India off-spinner Erapalli Prasanna reckons that Ravichandran Ashwin might have got some indication from the team management about not being in the scheme of things, which might have forced him into international retirement.

Ashwin (38) announced his retirement from international cricket on Wednesday, December 18. He called it quits after the third Test of the 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy at The Gabba, announcing his decision at the post-match press conference after the game ended in a draw.

Speaking to Rediff.com, Prasanna, regarded as one of the greatest spinners of all time, shared his thoughts on Ashwin's unexpected retirement in the middle of a Test series, saying:

"I was surprised by his decision to retire. Maybe he got some indication from the team management that he is no longer in the scheme of things which might have forced him to take his decision."

The 84-year-old added that not being picked in the playing XI while touring abroad might also have contributed to the off-spinner's decision to call it quits. He said:

"He didn't get to play matches whenever India traveled overseas, including in the current tour of Australia, and that might have played a role in his decision."

Prasanna, who claimed 189 scalps in 49 Test matches, went on to describe Ashwin as the greatest spinner of the current era.

"I would say he is the greatest spinner of this era. He had a great record, second highest wicket taker for India after Anil Kumble. He is the last of the classical spinners of this generation along with Nathan Lyon, who excelled in the Test format," the Indian legend commented.

Ashwin was not picked in the playing XI for the first Test of the series against Australia in Perth as India went with Washington Sundar as the lone slow bowler. The 38-year-old featured in the pink-ball Test in Adelaide, but managed to pick up only one wicket in 18 overs. He was subsequently replaced by Ravindra Jadeja for the third Test at The Gabba.

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Ashwin's impressive stats in international cricket

Having made his international debut in 2010, Ashwin went on to represent India in 287 matches across the three formats of the game, claiming 765 wickets at an average of 25.80. He is the second-leading wicket-taker for India in international cricket, behind only Anil Kumble (956).

The off-spinner picked up 537 wickets in 106 Tests, averaging 24, with 37 five-fers and eight 10-wicket match hauls. Ashwin also scored six hundreds and 14 fifties in the format. The Tamil Nadu cricketer claimed 156 wickets in 116 ODIs and 72 scalps in 56 T20I matches.