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Days before his unceremonious exit from international cricket, it is learnt, R Ashwin had asked the Indian team management about his chances on playing the Boder-Gavaskar Trophy. Sources told CricBlogger that the star spinner also wanted an assurance to play the Test matches in Australia.
Ashwin had categorically informed the management if the team wasn’t ready to play him, he won’t board the flight to Austria. “If he wasn’t in the scheme of things for the team, he won’t travel to Australia,” the team source said.
The team management assured Ashwin that he would play and there is no question of putting him out of the playing XI. The management led by Indian coach Gautam Gambhir had other plans and backstabbed the off-spin legend. Ashwin was dropped in the very first match of the Test series against Australia.
This led to some frustration and disappointment for Ashwin, especially after the team management had given him assurances. “This wasn’t the right thing to do after the team had assured him of a secured place. He shouldn’t have been treated like that,” a team source said. Attempts to reach Ashwin for his response didn’t bear fruit.
Ashwin, being one of India’s most successful spinners, must have felt betrayed. It’s also worth noting that team selections often involve a mix of factors — conditions, team balance, and opposition strengths — that may not always align with a player’s expectations.
At the same time, it is also crystal clear that Gambhir was going back and forth on whether to play Ashwin or not. By the time, Rohit walked in during the opening Test after his paternity leave, he was hearing murmurs of Ashwin’s retirement, which the India captain also made it clear after the Brisbane Test match got over.
What Rohit could do, he did for Ashwin by putting his name in the team list. In the Brisbane Test, Ashwin was again dropped for the second time in the series in three Test matches and that was enough for him to take the retirement call.
Ashwin didn’t even wait for the Test match to get over after announcing his retirement. He just informed his team and walked out without much of a fanfare and all. In Ashwin’s case, his experience and skill set could have made him a vital asset for India, but the team management’s decision not to include him must have been a tough blow, considering his stature and contributions to Indian cricket over the years.
“It is like ridiculing a legend of a bowler,” the source added. Clearly, all is not well in the Indian team right now!
