‘Having to just sit out …’: R Ashwin opens up on sudden retirement, shares reasons with Rahul Dravid | Cricket News – Times of India

NEW DELHI: In the newest episode of Ravichandran Ashwin’s Kutti Stories collection on his YouTube channel, the legendary off-spinner lastly revealed the feelings and reasoning behind his shock retirement announcement in December 2024. The 38-yr-outdated, India’s second-highest wicket-taker in Tests, stepped away through the center of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy on the Gabba, leaving followers and consultants shocked by the abruptness of his resolution.Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!Speaking to former teammate and India head coach Rahul Dravid, Ashwin admitted that the timing was deeply private quite than purely skilled. “I think it was just the time, and where I stood in my life, right? I think I was pretty old, I must admit,” he joked, earlier than delving into the true motivations.

The veteran revealed that the fixed touring schedule and the frustration of being benched on abroad excursions progressively wore him down. “But going on tours, and you know, having to just sit out a lot more, eventually got to me,” Ashwin defined.Yet the defining issue, he mentioned, was household. “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?” he mirrored, in what he described as a second of readability.Ashwin additionally disclosed that he had lengthy set a private deadline for his worldwide profession. “In my head, I always decided that I would retire at 34-35,” he mentioned, including that whereas his worldwide journey ended, he was open to taking part in home cricket for its flexibility and stability.Dravid, recalling his personal transition out of the sport, pointed out that generally a brief withdrawal from cricket can reignite ardour. Ashwin agreed, stressing that he wanted time away to “re-establish that connect” with the game.