'Having to just sit out eventually got to me': Ashwin reveals real reason behind his sudden retirement from Test cricket

Ravichandran Ashwin has finally opened up about why he decided to quit Test cricket all of a sudden during the 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia. The veteran off-spinner made the big call after playing just the second Test of the five-match series.

Ashwin explains reason behind retirement

Speaking on his YouTube channel in a chat with former India coach Rahul Dravid , Ashwin said that the decision was more about life and family than just cricket. He explained that watching his kids grow up without him being around motivated him to take retirement.

“I think it was just the time, and where I stood in my life, right? I think I was pretty old, I must admit. But going on tours, and you know, having to just sit out a lot more, eventually got to me. I mean, not in terms of not wanting to contribute to the team, but you’re thinking if I would rather be at home, spending time with children,” Ashwin said.

“They are also growing up, and what am I actually doing? In my head, I always decided that I would retire at 34-35,” he added. So, Ashwin explained that he chose to retire from Tests so he could spend more time with his family, especially since he wasn’t getting much game time anymore.

Ashwin retired as one of India’s all-time greats, finishing as the country’s second-highest wicket-taker in Tests with 537 wickets from 106 matches. In his final Test, Ashwin picked up just 1 wicket in the first innings and didn’t bowl in the second innings as Australia beat India by 10 wickets.

India had retained the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in 2023 with a 2-1 series win. But in Ashwin’s farewell series, Australia finally turned the tables, winning 3-1 and lifting the trophy for the first time since 2014-15. Before the latest BGT, India had also won the previous two series in Australia, with Ashwin playing a key role in both victories.

The series also marked the last appearance of two other modern greats, Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, who both ended their Test careers alongside Ashwin.