Ravichandran Ashwin dropped a bombshell on Tuesday by announcing his retirement from international cricket right after the drawn Test match in Brisbane against Australia. This caught a lot of experts and seasoned cricketers off guard, with some even questioning why he made such a big decision in the middle of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy series. However, a new report suggests that while his announcement surprised many, he had already made up his mind.

As per The Indian Express, Ashwin didn’t decide to retire just before flying to Perth for the series opener, but he did mention to his family that he was thinking about it due to his ongoing knee issues. His family encouraged him to think it over, but he told them he would only make it official after his tour in Australia. The report also mentioned that Ashwin, who was left out of the Brisbane Test after playing in the Adelaide pink ball Test, planned to announce his retirement on December 18.

When I got to Perth, we had this conversation, and I managed to talk him into sticking around for that pink ball Test match. After that, things just unfolded... He thought that if he wasn't going to be needed in the series, it might be time to say farewell to the sport, the India captain shared.

Another report from PTI mentioned that he was already considering retirement after the home series against New Zealand. He told the team management that if he wasn't assured a spot in the playing eleven for the Australia series, he wouldn't even make the trip down there.

A senior BCCI source, who wished to remain anonymous, shared with PTI, "The selection committee didn’t push him at all. Ashwin is a cricket legend in India, and he can make his own decisions."

The whole Indian dressing room was taken aback...

Ashwin had a long chat with captain Rohit Sharma right after they arrived in Perth, and during a press conference, Ashwin mentioned that Rohit convinced him to take part in the second Test. Although Ashwin was in the running for the Gabba Test, he ultimately lost out to Ravindra Jadeja, who made a crucial fifty that helped India avoid a follow-on. After that match, Ashwin surprised everyone by telling each of his teammates in Brisbane about his decision to retire.

Another reason behind Ashwin's choice was the future of the Indian team, especially since the selectors had found a solid replacement in Washington Sundar, who played in the first match of the series in Perth.

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