Kapil Dev Wishes Ashwin's Retirement Were More Honorable and Joyful

Ahmedabad, Dec 19 (NationPress) Former Indian cricket captain Kapil Dev conveyed his disappointment regarding the retirement of renowned all-rounder Ravichandran Ashwin. He expressed that he would have wished for Ashwin to depart the game in a manner that honors his contributions, filled with great respect and happiness.

Ashwin caught everyone off guard when he declared his immediate retirement from international cricket following India's third Test against Australia, in which he was not part of the playing XI, and the match concluded in a draw at the Gabba, Brisbane on Wednesday. His last appearance in international cricket was during the day-night Test against Australia in Adelaide, where he recorded figures of 1-53 in 18 overs and contributed 29 runs with the bat, as India suffered a ten-wicket defeat.

“I believe the upcoming generation must surpass ours; otherwise, progress stagnates. We never envisioned anyone coming close to Sachin Tendulkar or Sunil Gavaskar. However, the next generation is emerging with a distinctive strike rate and style of play, and we must appreciate this evolution,” Kapil Dev remarked during an event in Ahmedabad.

“Like Ashwin, you mention he is gone. If I had my way, I wouldn’t have allowed him to leave in such a manner. I would have ensured he departed with immense respect and joy. Leaving something you love is incredibly challenging, and we must honor those individuals,” added the captain who led India to victory in the 1983 World Cup.

At 38 years old, Ashwin will still participate in the IPL 2025 with the Chennai Super Kings, who acquired the talented off-spinner for Rs 9.75 crore during the IPL 2025 mega auction last month.

Ashwin concluded his illustrious 14-year international career with an impressive tally of 537 wickets at an average of 24 across 106 Tests, making him India’s second-highest wicket-taker after the legendary leg-spinner Anil Kumble (619). He also recorded six Test centuries and 14 half-centuries. Over his career, he participated in 116 ODIs, claiming 156 wickets, and played 65 T20I matches, taking 72 wickets. Ashwin was instrumental in India’s victories in the 2011 ODI World Cup and the 2013 Champions Trophy.

In the Test arena, Ashwin emerged as one of the key match winners during India’s twelve-year home dominance, playing a pivotal role in the 2020/21 Border-Gavaskar Trophy triumph in Australia. He is among the elite group of 11 all-rounders who have achieved the remarkable feat of accumulating 3000 runs and taking 300 wickets in Tests. Furthermore, Ashwin has clinched a record 11 Player-of-the-Series awards, matching the achievement of Sri Lanka’s Muttiah Muralitharan.