Ravichandran Ashwin’s retirement is just the beginning of changes for the Indian cricket team. Many senior players might retire soon to make way for new talent. According to a report from Cricbuzz, this transition could start during the team’s tour of England in June-July this year.
The ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia might be the last big series for the “OG generation,” which includes players like Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, Ajinkya Rahane, Cheteshwar Pujara, and Ravindra Jadeja. Ashwin was surprised many by being the first to retire.
Captain Rohit Sharma has said that players can still get back into the team if they perform well, but it seems that players like Pujara and Rahane are no longer in the plans. Did Ashwin get a hint about this too?
There are mixed reports about why Ashwin retired. While Cricbuzz mentioned that the team was informed in advance, other reports suggested that the selection committee was caught off guard.
Though there was no direct warning, whispers in the dressing room suggested Ashwin was aware of changes coming his way. This was shown by Ashwin not being chosen for a recent match in Perth, which was a big surprise given his impressive record. Choosing Washington Sundar over Ashwin made it clear things were changing.
It’s unclear if Ashwin received a direct message about his place in the team, but being skipped for the Perth Test must have been tough for someone who has always represented India with pride. Other senior players might also find themselves in a similar situation as the team prepares for a new phase. After a recent match, India’s chances of winning the World Test Championship have decreased, and it’s possible that a new captain will take over soon.
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