Ravichandran Ashwin Clarifies Gautam Gambhir Never “Told” Him to Retire in Australia

Not only international cricket, but R Ashwin also retired from his IPL career a few months ago, following the 2025 season he spent playing for CSK.

Ravichandran Ashwin Clarifies Gautam Gambhir Never “Told” Him to Retire in Australia

R Ashwin dismissed suggestions that his retirement decision was forced by Gautam Gambhir. (via Hindustan Times)

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Former Indian spinner Ravichandran Ashwin clarified that no one forced him to retire from international cricket, dismissing claims that Gautam Gambhir was behind his decision. He instead asserted that the choice to call time on his playing career while in Australia was personal.

R Ashwin had shocked fans across the country by announcing his retirement in December 2024, midway through the 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy. What was all the more surprising was that the off-spinner did not wait until the end of India’s five-match Test tour to Australia. He retired immediately after the third Test at the Gabba in Brisbane, which had ended in a draw, and returned to India the day after.

The decision was widely perceived to be influenced by head coach Gautam Gambhir’s preference for younger players, compounded by Ashwin’s declining form. In the preceding 0-3 home series defeat to New Zealand, Ashwin had managed only nine wickets at a poor average of 41.22.

Ashwin’s frustration mounted after he was benched for the BGT opener in Perth, played in the second Test (taking only one wicket), and then snubbed again for the third match, ultimately compelling his retirement.

Despite the buzz, the former spinner, who finished with a remarkable tally of 3,503 runs and 537 wickets, most recently, cleared the air. On his YouTube channel, Ashwin clarified that the decision to retire was entirely his own, and that no external forces influenced him, nor was he made to feel that he had no place left in the Indian Test setup. Ashwin further stated on Ash ki Baat that a few people had also urged him to reconsider.

No one told me that you should go, no one told me that there is no place for you in the team. Actually before I took the decision 2-3 people told me not to take it, but I took my decision.

R Ashwin went on to reveal that then-captain Rohit Sharma and Gautam Gambhir had in fact suggested to him to think twice before making the big call, dispelling claims that the Team India head coach might have forced his hand. The former Test star noted that the decision to retire was entirely personal and individual, and that he did not talk much about it even with chief selector Ajit Agarkar.

Rohit Sharma also told me to think about it, Gauti [Gautam Gambhir] bhai also told me to think again… The decision is very personal when it comes to retirement. These are all very individual decisions.

Meanwhile, his Test retirement set off a sequence of senior players also calling it quits, including Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma. The iconic batting duo stepped away from the longest format of the game, having surprisingly announced their decision through social media messages earlier this year.

Ravichandran Ashwin Defends Harshit Rana Amid Social Media Trolling for India Selection

Indian Test legend Ravichandran Ashwin came out in support of young pacer Harshit Rana, who has been trolled and criticized for his constant Team India selection. Ashwin urged fans to stop making personal attacks on Rana, as it could impact the fast bowler’s performance. 

R Ashwin on Harshit Rana
R Ashwin slammed fans for trolling Harshit Rana, over his Team India selection. (via India Today)

The social media trolling and criticism began after Harshit Rana was named in both the Indian ODI and T20I squads for the upcoming white-ball tour to Australia. The young Delhi-born pacer has been a part of the national team setup since head coach Gautam Gambhir took over, with suggestions emerging that the 44-year-old might be unfairly favoring the pacer over other talented players.

However, R Ashwin surprisingly backed the KKR star, noting his genuine bowling talent as well as his usefulness with the bat. The former spinner exclaimed that Rana would be an asset in Australia. Ashwin lashed out at social media trolls, suggesting that they should refrain from making derogatory personal attacks on the player. He, however, stated that Rana’s place in the playing XI would be questionable.

I want to say one thing to sporting fans, don’t speak ill or don’t shame someone. Players are sometimes picked based on conviction. Whether he [Harshit Rana] deserves or not is a secondary thing.

Harshit Rana has featured in two Tests, five ODIs and a T20I so far, since making his international debut in November, 2024. He has been the most impressive in the white-ball format, picking up 13 wickets at an average below 20.

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