India's cricket legend Ravichandran Ashwin cleared up any doubts about his decision on Wednesday, announcing his retirement during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy series. However, former Indian captain Kapil Dev expressed his disappointment with the timing of Ashwin's announcement. The seasoned spinner decided to hang up his boots right after the drawn third Test at the Gabba and promptly left the Indian squad to return home.

In an interview with Gulf News, Kapil shared his frustration over Ashwin's mid-series retirement, suggesting he could have waited until after the Sydney match to make his decision. Still, he acknowledged Ashwin's significant contributions to Indian cricket.

“Ashwin is a very determined individual. It's refreshing to see such strong personalities in cricket. I felt a bit let down when he chose to leave in the middle of the tour. He’s been one of the finest cricketers India has ever had and has given so much to the sport, but I think he could have handled it differently. Regardless, his impact on the country is truly remarkable,” Kapil stated..

Ashwin finally breaks his silence about why he decided to retire

Kapil and his former teammate Sunil Gavaskar both expressed their disappointment over Ashwin's actions. Meanwhile, ex-India cricketer Manoj Tiwary mentioned that the senior bowler felt "insulted," and former bowling coach Bharat Arun shared that he was "hurt."

On his YouTube channel Wednesday, Ashwin discussed his retirement, which had led to rumors about issues within the team and management.

“I think a lot about life and what to do next. You have to understand that these feelings come naturally. Once someone realizes their time is up, there’s not much left to ponder. People have said various things, but I don’t see it as a big deal,” he explained. “What really happened? I missed the first Test, played the second, and sat out the third. I could have played the next one or not. I was just trying to tap into my creativity, and when I felt it was done, it was done. Simple as that.”

He also touched on why he chose not to have a farewell match, stating he wouldn’t want to play if he didn’t earn his spot on the team.

"What’s the point of coming out with the ball and getting applause? How long will that last? Back in the day, people would talk about it for a week and then forget. A farewell isn’t necessary. The game has given us so much, and we’ve enjoyed every moment," Ashwin added.

Read Also: Vinesh Phogat Returns to Training After Heartbreaking Paris Olympics Experience

HOW DID YOU LIKE THIS ARTICLE? CHOOSE YOUR EMOTICON!