Ravichandran Ashwin’s unexpected and shocking retirement from international cricket midway through the crucial Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 has shocked the cricket world.
The timing of his decision has already attracted attention, with former South African batsman Daryll Cullinan criticizing Ashwin for ending his career during such a critical moment in Australia.
Daryll Cullinan slams Ravichandran Ashwin’s ‘selfish’ call on Australian tour
Daryll Cullinan did not hold back and termed Ravichandran Ashwin’s decision to retire in the middle of the ongoing five-match Test series in Australia a “selfish” move. He also noted that the legendary player decided to retire in frustration for not being selected in the playing XI.
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Notably, Ravichandran Ashwin earned just one of India’s three Tests at the time as he announced his retirement from international cricket midway through the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 against Australia. Ashwin was overlooked by Washington Sundar and Ravindra Jadeja on the tour of Australia.
Daryll Cullinan talks about Ravichandran Ashwin’s retirement from international cricket
Cullinan claimed that Ashwin preferred personal feelings over the best interests of the team. The former South African cricketer also claimed that there must have been questionable reasons behind the former Indian player’s decision which he cannot reveal publicly, but stressed that it was a “spiteful reaction” to him not being selected in the playing XI.
Still, the former South African batsman believes Ashwin’s sudden retirement unsettled the Indian cricket team amid the BGT 2024-25 and criticized the spin wizard for not waiting until the conclusion of the New Year’s Test in Sydney against Australia. to say goodbye to the international game.
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Daryll Cullinan was quoted by Hindustan Times: “Ashwin should not retire nor should he be allowed to retire mid-series. It was a selfish move, clearly for reasons he will not make public. It was a spiteful reaction to not having been selected and It can be detrimental for a team in the middle of the series, YoIt was a matter of weeks.. He could have retired after Sydney.”
I don’t see why India can’t win in Sydney: Daryll Cullinan
Meanwhile, the Indian cricket team is currently on the brink of losing the ongoing Test series to Australia, having lost the second and fourth Tests to the hosts. So, the stakes are high for the upcoming fifth and final Test, which begins on January 3, but Daryll Cullinan is confident that India can turn things around at the iconic Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG).
The former Proteas batsman mentioned that if India manages to win the New Year’s Test, it would be a successful tour for them and he has a strong feeling that India will emerge victorious in Sydney. Cullinan added: “I want to emphasize that if India win in Sydney, it will have been a successful tour for them. I don’t see why they can’t win in Sydney! In fact, I think they will.”
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Daryll Cullinan suggests Rohit Sharma retire from Test cricket
Talking about Indian captain Rohit Sharma’s batting woes, Cullinan has pointed out the experienced batsman’s problems against pace and bounce, especially in South Africa and Australia. He suggested that Rohit consider retiring from Test cricket and focus on white-ball cricket.
He signed off by saying: “I think he is comfortable playing cricket in India and moving permanently to white-ball cricket.. The right and wise thing to do now. Rohit should ask for time. If he doesn’t, the selectors must make the decision for him.”