Brisbane, Dec 18 (UNI) Indian cricket team captain Rohit Sharma revealed that he played a crucial role in convincing veteran spinner Ravichandran Ashwin to stay on for the Adelaide Test before Ashwin ultimately decided to retire from international cricket.
Rohit spoke candidly about the conversation that took place when he arrived in Perth, shedding light on Ashwin’s contemplation of stepping away from the game. “I somehow convinced him to stay for the Adelaide Test,” he told reporters in the post-match press conference here on Wednesday.
“At that time, we weren’t sure about which spinner would play. When I landed in Perth, that was the chat we had. Ashwin was clear about his decision, but I asked him to give it another go for Adelaide. He agreed, but after that, he felt it was better to move on if he wasn’t going to be needed in the future.”
Ashwin, whose contributions to Indian cricket have been monumental, had expressed his desire to retire, knowing that his role in the team was becoming uncertain.
Despite this, Rohit’s persuasive words convinced the 38-year-old to stay available for the crucial Test in Adelaide, before the final decision came.
Speaking further about Ashwin’s impact, Rohit said, “Whenever we had crises, we looked up to Ash, and he was always there to deliver for us. He’s been a great servant to Indian cricket, leaving no stone unturned in his commitment to the team.”
Rohit acknowledged that while the team’s immediate focus was on regrouping after Ashwin’s retirement, the decision was ultimately one that needed to be respected. “It’s important for us as a team to reflect and regroup. We’ve got time to think about how we need to proceed from here,” he said.
Ashwin’s retirement marks the end of an era for the Indian cricket team, with the bowler having been a vital match-winner over the years.
As the team moves forward without him, Rohit highlighted the importance of honouring the spinner’s decision and respecting his contribution to Indian cricket.
