Ravichandran Ashwin’s shock decision to retire from all formats of international cricket could be the beginning of many more such stunning decisions when it comes to Test cricket. Ashwin became the second high-profile cricketer after MS Dhoni to announce his retirement in the middle of the Border Gavaskar Trophy with the former wicketkeeper-batter having done so back in 2012, when he was still the Test captain.
After Ashwin, the likes of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma could be the other high-profile names to follow as early as 2025. Kohli and Rohit have already announced their retirement from T20I cricketer after India won the ICC T20 World Cup 2024 title earlier this year.
The batting form of the senior is under intense scrutiny with Rohit averaging as little as 11.69 in his last 11 innings. Kohli is not doing much better in the ongoing five-match Test series between India and Australia. Apart from a second innings century in the first Test win at Perth, Kohli’s technique in dealing with ball outside his off-stump have been thoroughly exposed by the Australian pacers.
Both Kohli and Rohit may well be playing their final Test in Sydney early next month. According o a report in the Cricbuzz website, Team India is set to undergo a ‘transformation’ soon. India’s next Test series assignment will be in England in the summer of 2025, another tough assignment for the batters.
“The Indian team is expected to undergo a transformation soon – possibly by the start of their next Test series in England in the coming summer of 2025. As in the past, the credit or discredit will likely be linked to the Test series in Australia. Over the years, Australia tours have gained a notorious reputation for bringing cricketing careers to an agonising end,” the Cricbuzz report read.
“It is unlikely that anyone would openly admit it was a nudge, but there is a perception that this announcement is just the first in a series expected to follow – much like in 2008, when several senior players retired in quick succession. The signals, whether conveyed directly or indirectly, seem to have been sent, setting the stage for a transition,” the report added.
As @ashwinravi99 steps away from the game, skipper @ImRo45 remembers his efforts to keep Ashwin in the squad for the #AUSvIND pink ball test, but ultimately, the team respects his decision to retire. #AUSvINDOnStar 4th Test | THU, 26th DEC, 4:30 AM only on Star Sports 1! pic.twitter.com/JT3v6DD00B
— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) December 18, 2024
In 2008, senior India cricketers like Sourav Ganguly, VVS Laxman, Anil Kumble and Virender Sehwag were sent into early retirement with Dhoni taking over the reigns of the team. A similar upheaval in Indian cricket is not too far away with Kohli, Rohit and possibly even Ravindra Jadeja on their way out.
Even Ashwin said this in his final farewell speech – “I don’t know how to go about this honestly… It is truly a very emotional moment for me. It feels just like 2011-12 when I toured here, my first Australian tour and I saw a transition. Rahul (Dravid) bhai left, Sachin (Tendulkar) paaji left. Trust me guys, everybody’s time comes and today was truly my time…,” Ashwin said.
