Ashwin’s Candid Revelation to Dravid on Test Retirement: ‘Benching Issues Prompted My Decision’

Ravichandran Ashwin made an unexpected revelation about his Test retirement during a chat with Rahul Dravid on his YouTube series ‘Kutti Stories’. The now-retired off-spinner shared what prompted his abrupt decision to retire mid-series in Australia in 2024.

In the conversation, Dravid, the former cricketer and Ashwin’s mentor, asked Ashwin about his surprising decision. Ashwin explained that his decision was largely due to a lack of playing time. “But going on tours, and you know, having to just sit out a lot more, eventually got to me,” Ashwin said. Frequent bouts of benching during overseas tours frustrated both him and his fans.

He also clarified that his sudden retirement during the Gabba Test in Brisbane was a personal decision. He wanted to prioritise spending time with his growing children. “‘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. They are also growing up, and what am I actually doing?'” Ashwin asked rhetorically. He had always planned to retire around the age of 34 or 35.

While Ashwin stepped down from international cricket, he made it clear that his passion for the game remained, considering continuing to play domestically. A short break from cricket was suggested to him by Dravid as a way to reignite his passion for the game. “Sometimes, being there in a certain situation and withdrawing yourself, giving yourself a break from the whole environment can trigger your passion once again,” Ashwin reflected.