Sunil Gavaskar questions the timing of Ravichandran Ashwin’s retirement decision mid-series

New Delhi: Ravichandran Ashwin has decided to retire from international cricket with India and will be heading back home soon. Despite only being featured in one of the three Test matches in the series, Ashwin made his announcement following the conclusion of a drawn game. He maintained a low profile during the Gabba Test. However, social media is now ablaze with appreciation for Ashwin, who has been regarded as a key player in India's victories.

Sunil Gavaskar disagreed with Ashwin’s decision to hang up his boots in the middle of the series, implying that perhaps it would have been better if he had postponed this choice until the series ended. In a conversation with the broadcaster, the India legend said: “He could have said, listen after the end of the series, I won’t be available for selection for India. What it does is that, similarly when MS Dhoni retired at the end of the 3rd Test in 2014-15 series, it leaves you one short.”

“The selection committee has picked so many players for a tour with a purpose. If there are any injuries they can select from the reserve players to have in the team. So, Sydney is somewhere where there is a lot of support on offer for spinners. So India could have played with two spinners. You never know. He could have been there for sure. I don’t know how the pitch in Melbourne will be like. Normally, you tend to look at the end of the series. That’s it. In the middle, it is not usual,” he added.

The team includes spinners Washington Sundar and Ravindra Jadeja. Surprisingly, Sundar gained a position in the initial test in Perth, beating Ashwin and Jadeja in the race. Interestingly, Jadeja stood in for Ashwin in the Gabba Test.

Jadeja is expected to remain in the lineup for the Boxing Day Test starting on December 26. Sundar is also under consideration for a place in the team for Sydney’s fifth Test, planned to run from January 3 to 7. With the third Test match ending in a tie, the series stands balanced at one all. The fourth game is all set to roll out at the globally famous Melbourne Cricket Ground.