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Ravichandran Ashwin's surprise retirement has left India one player short for the rest of the Test series against Australia and there may be more than meets the eye.
The veteran off-spinner dropped a bombshell after the drawn match at the Gabba, putting a full-stop on his glittering career in the national side.
Ashwin's abrupt decision comes after he was left out of the XI for two of the first three fixtures against Australia, with the series locked at 1-1 heading into Boxing Day.
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However, according to Indian captain Rohit Sharma, the retirement had been brewing since the start of the series – or perhaps even earlier.
"When I arrived in Perth, this was a chat we had, and I somehow convinced him to stay for that pink-ball Test match. Then after that, it just happened," the skipper said.
Rohit Sharma and Ravi Ashwin during the latter's retirement. Fox Cricket
"He felt that if I am not needed right now in the series, I am better off saying goodbye to the game. I heard this when I came to Perth. Obviously I was not here for the first three or four days of the Test match, but this was in his mind since then.
"There are obviously a lot of things that went behind it. I am pretty sure Ash, when in position, will be able to answer that."
According to his father – Ravichandran Ashwin Sr. – the decision to step away from the sport at international level could have been due to "humiliation" of not being picked.
"I too came to know last minute, actually. What was going on in his mind, I don't know," he told CNN News18.
"He just announced. I too, accepted it with full pleasure. I did not have any feelings at all about that. But the way he gave his retirement, one part I was very happy, another part not happy because he should have continued.
"There could be many reasons. Only Ashwin knows, maybe humiliation."
The off-spinner responded to those claims and denied that was the reason.
"My dad isn't media trained," Ashwin said.
"I never thought you would follow this rich tradition of "dad statements". Request you all to forgive him and leave him alone."
Reports from overseas indicate Ashwin had been weighing up finishing his Test career after the side's horror 3-0 loss against New Zealand on home soil.
According to The Press Trust of India, the 37-year-old even gave an ultimatum to selectors and initially didn't want to travel Down Under for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
"It is understood that retirement had been on Ashwin's mind following India's shocking 0-3 home series loss to New Zealand," the report said.
"The legendary off-spinner had conveyed to the team management that he would not travel to Australia for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy unless guaranteed a spot.
Ravichandran Ashwin has played his last game for India. Getty
"India's decision to play Washington Sundar ahead of Ashwin in the Perth Test seemed to be the tipping point. Although Ashwin returned for the pink-ball Test in Adelaide at Rohit Sharma's insistence, Ravindra Jadeja was preferred.
"As Rohit stated after the drawn third Test in Gabba, the squad's composition for the final matches in Melbourne and Sydney remained uncertain.
"The decision to omit Ashwin for Washington Sundar in Perth appeared to have been taken in Rohit's absence, with coach Gautam Gambhir reportedly having a significant say. By the time Rohit linked up with the team, he had to persuade Ashwin to play."
It's not the first piece of reported internal turmoil within the Indian camp, after reports suggested Mohammad Shami had fallen out with senior teammates.
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Ravichandran Ashwin's father floats 'humiliation' as reason for shock retirement – Nine
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