Ravichandran Ashwin has revealed the personal promise that pushed him towards retirement from international cricket. On his YouTube channel, he said he once vowed to quit if India ever lost another home series. The New Zealand defeat fulfilled that promise and broke him emotionally.
A promise made in 2012
Ashwin explained that after the 2012 loss to England he told himself he would leave the game if India slipped again at home. He hoped current players would learn from this setback and show improvement in future series.
Retirement was his decision alone
Ashwin shocked Indian cricket when he retired midway through the 2024-25 Border Gavaskar Trophy in Brisbane after the whitewash by New Zealand. He said no one asked him to step away. Instead, a few even urged him to continue.
Senior players wanted him to stay
Rohit Sharma and Gautam Gambhir advised him to rethink his decision, though he never discussed it with Ajit Agarkar, who was the chairman of selectors at the time. Ashwin added that retirement is personal and every player must decide on their own terms.
Chose not to be a non playing member
Ashwin previously said he did not want to stay in the squad without being part of the playing XI. His honest admission shows how personal commitments, not external pressure, sometimes guide a cricketer’s final call.
