A shocked World Cup-winning captain, Kapil Dev, finds it incomprehensible that R Ashwin has suddenly decided to retire from international cricket, saying that the premier off-spinner should at least be given a proper farewell ideally at home. Ashwin made the shocking announcement of his retirement on Wednesday, just after the Brisbane Test against Australia ended in a draw. Kapil thought that Ashwin did not seem happy with something.
“I was shocked by how one of India’s greatest cricketers generalized leaving the game. Disappointment among fans was widespread, but then I also saw a tinge of hurt on his face. He looked unhappy, and that was sad. He deserved much better, a fitting farewell,” Kapil said in a statement to PTI.
As has been his wont, Ashwin chose to walk his own way while retiring in the middle of an important series. Kapil said he would like to hear the Tamil Nadu man’s side of story.
“He could have waited and announced his retirement on Indian soil, but I don’t know why Ashwin called it a day. I would want to hear his side of the story. Give him that respect. He has played 106 Tests for the country. I don’t think anyone can match his humongous contribution to Indian cricket.”
Kapil continued by stating that he hoped the Board of Control of Cricket in India (BCCI) would arrange for a proper farewell to Ashwin.
“I’m sure the parent body of cricket in India, BCCI, shall plan a grand farewell for this giant match-winner of Team India,” he said.
According to Ashwin, Kapil, who was 65 at the time, said that Ashwin was a stalwart in the sense that he was a versatile and unorthodox bowler, always hassling the batters with his change of pace, line, and length, cleverly shrouded.
He was ready to experiment, and that is what made him different. In a game where the batters got more glory than anybody else, Ashwin shone out with his skills.
Kapil brought Ashwin praises for his intelligence as well as character off the field and called Ashwin a match winner with no parallels in contemporary cricket.
“He has received from India more awards as Man of the Series than anyone else. That is a huge compliment and puts his game in context as well as his consistency. He was not a yes man but came across as a gritty fighter.”
“He was a rare spinner who could bowl with the new ball, just like Anil Kumble. Thank God I didn’t have to play alongside him. I would have lost my place to Ashwin.
“He could bat, bowl, field. He had the carrom ball, a superb slower one; if need be, he could pull out a leg-spinner too. Amazing. He could do everything possible on the cricket field,” he said, eulogising the man who ended up with 537 Test wickets.
“Only a champion is not insecure and Ashwin was a champion. He has given us great joy. I wish him all the joy in the world,” he said.