Just-retired R Ashwin's father Ravichandran kicked up a controversy on Thursday by claiming that "humiliation" could have been a reason for his son's decision to call it quits but the veteran off-spinner made light of the "dad comment", blaming it on lack of media training.
Here's how fans reacted on social media...
Under Kohli, Ashwin played 55 Tests and took a massive 293 wickets at an average of 22.13.
The short turnaround time from the high of winning a controversy-marred Asia Cup notwithstanding, Shubman Gill's India will be outright favourites against a struggling and under-strength West Indies when the teams face-off on a green-top in the first Test in Ahmedabad on Thursday.
Rohit's struggles continued during the first ODI in Nagpur, where he managed just 2 runs off 7 balls, though India secured a four-wicket victory.
India's World Cup-winning skipper Kapil Dev would like to know why Ravichandran Ashwin decided to call it a day all of a sudden.
'I wanted people to know me for who I am, because a lot of times, Ashwin's picking up a wicket and Virat Kohli is all over the place.'
'He's just jumping about, and people very often tend to believe that Ashwin's the one that's absolutely serious and Virat's the one that's having all the fun.'
Spin great Ravichandran Ashwin says New Zealand, despite the absence of the long-serving pace duo of Trent Boult and Tim Southee, who have quit playing the 50-over format, will pose a challenge to India.
India included two debutants -- Harshit Rana and Nitish Kumar Reddy -- while leaving out Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja.
'Dhoni is a very cool captain. But he was also very happy and was enjoying that moment.'
Ashwin's decision too came as a bit of a surprise, especially considering the team's reliance on him.
Ashwin has 20 scores of fifty or more in Tests, three more than Sir Richard Hadlee, while recording the same number of five wicket hauls as the great Kiwi in the format (36 five wicket hauls), solidifying his status as one of the format's greatest all-rounders.
"I will be walking out with you to bat at the MCG," R Ashwin told Virat Kohli in a short note on X Friday, a subtle and endearing demonstration of their closeness in the team.
'Good leaders emerge when they show resolve for a scrap.'
Ravichandran, father of veteran off-spinner Ashwin, said he was caught off guard by his son's sudden retirement from international cricket, but stunningly hinted that there could be underlying reasons for it, including him feeling "humiliated".
Amit Mishra is the only bowler to have claimed three hat-tricks in the IPL.
'Normally, you tend to look at the end of the series. That's it. In the middle, it is not usual.'
Ravichandran Ashwin believes that the uncapped Anshul Kamboj belongs to the rare breed of fast bowlers like Zaheer Khan and Jasprit Bumrah.
Ajit Agarkar's contract as the chief selector was renewed before IPL 2025 taking into account Team India's successful showing during his tenure.
Ravichandran Ashwin visualises himself doing a lot more on the cricket field at least for the next few years.
Key players like Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and Ravindra Jadeja are expected to consider stepping away from the Test format to make way for a new generation of talent.
Ravichandran Ashwin's wife Prithi Narayanan penned a heartfelt tribute for her husband following his recent retirement from international cricket, saying "it is time to set the burden of being you down" and embrace life beyond the game.
Dubey said he did not try anything different for his record wicket haul but credited the feat to getting a regular run in the premier domestic tournament.
If one has to analyse Ashwin the cricketer, it is very difficult to ignore Ashwin, the person, who had a very independent mind and a brain that probably ticked 24x7. He believed in de-construction of his art and became craftier one ball at a time.
He overtook Australian spinner Nathan Lyon to become the seventh highest wicket-taker in Test cricket.
As India gears up to face Oman on Friday, September 19, at the Dubai international stadium, the focus returns to cricket.
An astute reader of the game both on and off the field, Ashwin might have gauged what was in store going forward and that perhaps made it easier for him to take a call.
Amidst strong speculation of him wanting to snap the ties with Rajasthan Royals, wicketkeeper-batter Sanju Samson said his long association with the IPL franchise has transformed his life and career.
Jasprit Bumrah bettered spin stalwart Ravichandran Ashwin's all-time rating-point record by an Indian in the latest ICC rankings.
Ravichandran Ashwin returned home on Thursday after his shock international retirement in the middle of a Test series in Australia
India enjoy a dominant 9-3 win loss record against Pakistan in T20 Internationals, including a 7-1 margin in T20 World Cups.
Former Australia wicketkeeper and captain Tim Paine doesn't regret sledging Ravichandran Ashwin during the third Test of the 2020-21 Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
Ravichandran Ashwin became the first bowler to pick 50 or wickets in each of three World Test Championship cycles.
The BCCI bars active Indian cricketers -- international or domestic -- from playing in overseas leagues to protect the IPL's exclusivity.
Tanush Kotian once again showcased his ability to absorb pressure with a fighting fifty to shore up West Zone against Central Zone in the Duleep Trophy semifinals
The legendary Rahul Dravid on Thursday reminisced on his time as Team India head coach and recalled how his strong bond with former T20I and Test captain Rohit Sharma contributed to a positive team environment.
'I guess the thinking going into the last Test, we wanted to strengthen the batting'
Former cricketer S Sreesanth's wife Bhuvneshwari Sreesanth lashed out at ex-Indian Premier League (IPL) commissioner Lalit Modi and former Australian batter Michael Clarke for revealing the never-seen-before footage of the infamous 'Slapgate' scandal involving Harbhajan Singh and her husband.
Ravichandran Ashwin has picked up a record 420 wickets in 71 Tests played in Asia -- the most by an Indian bowler.
Hanuma Vihari leaves AP, joins Tripura for 2025-26 season
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