Ravichandran Ashwin's unexpected retirement from international cricket during the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy series in Australia has generated considerable speculation, particularly as he has not elaborated on the reasons behind his decision. Reports suggest that Ashwin, who has been dealing with a persistent knee injury, had been contemplating this choice for some time and had discussed it with captain Rohit Sharma upon his arrival in Australia last month. Former Indian cricketer Harbhajan Singh indicated that Ashwin's retirement may have been influenced by the increasing preference for Washington Sundar in the team.

Sundar made a notable return to the Indian squad during the home Test series against New Zealand in October, where he quickly justified the confidence shown in him by chief selector Ajit Agarkar and head coach Gautam Gambhir, achieving an impressive 11-wicket haul in Pune and delivering a strong all-round performance in Wankhede. This success led Agarkar to support Sundar's inclusion for the Australian tour, where he even played in the first Test match ahead of both Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja.

In the second Test, Ashwin replaced Sundar but managed to take only one wicket before being sidelined in Brisbane to accommodate Jadeja, who played a crucial role in helping India avoid a follow-on with a resilient half-century..

'It was in Ashwin's mind that Washington Sundar will be given preference'

In an interview with Dainik Jagran, Harbhajan Singh acknowledged that Ashwin was a leading candidate for inclusion in the playing XI for either the Test matches in Melbourne or Sydney against Australia, making the announcement "shocking" to him. Nevertheless, he expressed his respect for the decision and commended Ashwin as a "match-winning bowler."

"I am taken aback by their decision. It is indeed surprising for such a significant choice to be made during an ongoing series. We anticipated his presence in Sydney and Melbourne, given the crucial role of spinners in those conditions, but we must honor his decision. He must have arrived at this conclusion after thorough consideration. He is an exceptional bowler, and I commend his accomplishments. He has been instrumental in securing victories for India. I wish him all the best in his future endeavors," he remarked.

The seasoned Indian spinner further speculated that Ashwin may have recognized that the management is now focusing on the future, which could lead to increased support for Sundar as a spin-bowling all-rounder. He elaborated that India will not have another home Test series until October of the following year, with their next challenge in the format being a tour of England next summer, where the selectors are expected to choose only two spinners, likely favoring Sundar and Jadeja over Ashwin.

"According to the information I have received, the Indian team is scheduled to play Test matches at home in October next year, and prior to that, they will face England in five matches. When you possess such impressive records and a significant number of wickets, and you are included in the playing eleven for overseas tours, 

From what I gather, it seems that Ashwin may be aware that Washington Sundar is likely to be prioritized in his stead. With five matches to be played in England, where only two spinners will be selected, many considerations must be weighing on their minds. All I can say is that this decision could not have been easy for him," he stated.

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