Ash WINS even in retirement plan!

Retiring at the right time is a very difficult decision. Unlike a normal work place, where there is an age limit or tenure decided by the employer, an athlete has the liberty to decide when he or she wants to leave. On Wednesday, one man who stole the show even without being a part of the fabulous draw against Australia in the BGT Series at the Gabba, was R.Ashwin. At 38 years and a few months, Ash, as people love to address him, came to the press conference and said a goodbye. It was so sudden, just like one of his deliveries which would bamboozle the batters. He decided after speaking to his captain Rohit Sharma and teammates, before saying a goodbye, leaving many emotional with tears welling up.

Imagine, at a time when social media handles are gunning for Virat Kohli and Rohit, want them to retire, Ashwin did not have to be nudged. It is obvious, from all accounts, he wanted to leave if he was not going to be part of India’s plans in the BGT Series. As it were, Ashwin has been treated like an outcast many times, as critics felt he was not so effective abroad. And with the focus on Ravindra Jadeja now after his batting exploits, Ashwin may have felt the need to pack up. Ash was convinced to play the Pink Ball Test by his skipper. That he did not do well is no shame. Imagine, Ashwin has played his last Test, minus fanfare and a farewell. This is a bit like the character in the movie ‘Three Idiots;’ where Aamir Khan suddenly vanishes. Out here, Ashwin is not even waiting for the remainder of the series. He flies back to India as soon as possible.

Sample this, Ashwin can still walk into the Test team when India play at home. He, obviously, would have looked at the mirror and decided, smile and walk away. To time the retirement so well, where people ask ‘why’ is itself a sign of being loved and wanted. Some said he is not that fit or agile as a fielder. No way, the Chennai man still plays the state T20 league in Tamil Nadu. Most important, he will be back at the Chepauk in Chennai with Chennai Super Kings. Imagine, jamming up with MS Dhoni, Ash has not left the scene totally. He has created a window for more off spinners or off break bowlers who want to grab that spot. Washington Sundar is just one name. India needs more options to replace Ashwin. In fact, it can never happen.

Just as there was only one Bjorn Borg and one Roger Federer in tennis, from two different eras, Ashwin has been a delightful bowler. To compare him with legends from different eras – EAS Prasanna and S. Venkataraghavan would be crazy, almost mindless. One cannot even compare him with Bhajji, who has also paid glowing tributes to Ashwin. Ash belongs right up there as a legend. He had created an impact in so many ways, though how he teased and tormented Joe Root and Steve Smith in India cannot be forgotten. The Test wicket tally of 537 stands is of Himalayan height stature. At the same time, Ashwin was no bunny with the bat, scoring 3503 runs.

What defines Ashwin, overall, is being a fantastic human being, and a genius trying to improve even further. One needs to be unique to be so obsessed with bowling as an art. Ashwin mastered the geometry and trajectory of spin bowling and kept perfecting it, with the red ball and the white ball. That’s passion, wanting to do something constantly to become so unpredictable. As Ajinkya Rahane has said in his post on X, to be waiting in slips to pouch a catch each time Ashwin bowled was testing! It’s a big tribute. To say Ashwin was/is clever would be stating the obvious. He has his plans, and if it comes to being an expert on air, TV channels will grab him. As it is, his YouTube in Tamil and Hindi rock. Creativity is something ingrained.

Does he have any regret in life, not having led India? Well, Ashwin downplayed it in an interview a few months back. That is what makes him so special. Indian cricket will miss him. A consolation, he will play club cricket. Watch out for the IPL 2025, Ashwin back at CSK is going to be a real treat.