Ashwin Defends Father Over 'Humiliation' Comment After Retirement Controversy

Indian cricket legend Ravichandran Ashwin recently addressed the controversy surrounding his father's comments on his abrupt retirement from international cricket. His father, Ravichandran Sr., had hinted at potential "humiliation" as a factor behind Ashwin's decision.

It sparked widespread speculation about rifts within the Indian cricket setup. However, Ashwin took to social media to clarify and defend his father, stating that his remarks were not intentional and stemmed from a lack of media experience.

Ashwin, known for his witty social media presence, responded to a fan's query about his father's statement on X (formerly Twitter). He wrote, "My dad isn't media trained, dey father enna da ithelaam. I never thought you would follow this rich tradition of 'dad statements'. Request you all to forgive him and leave him alone."

Ravichandran Sr.'s Remarks Spark Debate

In an interview with CNN News18, Ravichandran Sr. revealed his surprise at Ashwin's retirement decision. He said, "I too came to know last minute, actually."

He added, "Retiring is his wish and desire; I cannot interfere in that. But the way in which he gave that, there could be many reasons. Only Ashwin knows, maybe humiliation."

The elder Ravichandran further mentioned that he was both happy and sad about his son's decision, emphasizing the emotional impact of Ashwin's illustrious 14-15 year career ending so suddenly.

Ashwin, who announced his retirement after the third Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Brisbane, leaves behind a legacy as India's second-highest Test wicket-taker with 537 wickets. He is also one of the few players to have scored six Test centuries.

Thus, cementing his place as one of the game's finest all-rounders. While Ashwin's father's comments stirred controversy, the 38-year-old cricketer ensured the focus remained on his achievements and his next steps, including his participation in domestic cricket and the IPL.