"Retiring when the series is ongoing is beyond my understanding" - Harbhajan Singh on Ravichandran Ashwin's retirement after BGT 2024-25 3rd Test

Harbhajan Singh has said that Ravichandran Ashwin's decision to retire in the middle of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) 2024-25 is beyond his understanding. He pointed out that the Tamil Nadu spinner might have been in Team India's scheme of things for the remaining two Tests in Melbourne and Sydney.

The third Test of the five-match series between India and Australia in Brisbane ended in a draw on Wednesday, December 18. In the post-match press conference, Ashwin announced his retirement from international cricket.

During a discussion on Star Sports, Harbhajan was asked about his thoughts on Ashwin's sudden retirement.

"It was slightly shocking for me when I heard that because retiring when the series is ongoing is beyond my understanding. He might have got a chance to play in Melbourne and Sydney, and he recently played in Adelaide as well. So I don't know what the hurry was and what would have been the thought process behind this retirement," he replied.

Harbhajan praised his fellow off-spinner for his match-winning performances for India and wished him well for his future endeavors.

"If this is his decision, I would only like to tell him that he has had a fantastic career, taken a lot of wickets, and won many matches and series for the country. He has taken India's spin legacy forward. Another great career has come to an end today and I wish him well for whatever he does going forward," he said.

Ravichandran Ashwin picked up 537 wickets at an average of 24.00 in 106 Tests. He won 11 Player of the Series awards in Tests, the joint-most in the longest format alongside Muttiah Muralitharan.

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"It hurts you when you are not selected despite taking the most wickets" - Harbhajan Singh on Ravichandran Ashwin being benched in SENA countries

Ravichandran Ashwin is India's second-highest wicket-taker in Test cricket. [P/C: Getty]

In the same discussion, Harbhajan Singh was asked how tough the decision to retire would have been for Ravichandran Ashwin.

"It's a very difficult decision. When a bowler who has taken a lot of wickets goes overseas for a tour like Australia, England or South Africa, where you would play only one spinner, it hurts you when you are not selected despite taking the most wickets. Then you probably feel it's not right to stay there," he responded.

The cricketer-turned-commentator added that the 38-year-old would have deliberated for long before arriving at the decision.

"I don't know what are the reasons behind retiring because I feel he could have easily played for another two or three years. Retiring is a very difficult day for any player and that too in the middle of a series. He might be thinking about it for a long time. This decision would not been made today. It would have been a long process," Harbhajan observed.

Rohit Sharma disclosed at the post-match press conference that Ashwin had told him about his decision to retire in Perth. However, the Indian skipper convinced the veteran spinner to play the pink-ball Test against Australia in Adelaide.