Brisbane. India's senior off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin surprised everyone on Wednesday by announcing his retirement from international cricket. 38-year-old Ashwin got a chance in the Pink Ball Test in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT 2024-25). But he did not get a chance in the Brisbane Test and as soon as this test ended, he announced his retirement with immediate effect. However, former India captain and great Test batsman Sunil Gavaskar has condemned the timing of Ashwin's decision. He said that this player should have waited for the series to end. By taking a decision in the middle of the series, the team will miss a player.

He said that the star off-spinner could have waited till the end of the series against Australia as the Indian team is one member short for the next two Test matches. Ashwin surprised everyone by announcing his retirement from international cricket after the end of the third Test match here. The five-match series is currently tied at 1–1.

"He could have said, look, I will not be available for selection in the Indian team after the series is over. What does that mean? Mahendra Singh Dhoni had also retired in a similar way after the third Test match during the 2014–15 series. This leaves one member less in the team," Gavaskar told the official broadcaster of the series.

He said, 'The selection committee has selected so many players for this tour for a purpose. If a player gets injured, they can select any of the reserve players included in the team.'

This former Indian captain said that Ashwin could have played his role in the 5th and final Test match to be held in Sydney. The wicket of Sydney Cricket Ground has always helped the spinners.

Gavaskar said, 'Sydney is a place where spinners get a lot of help. India can play with two spinners there. He should have been in the team for that match. I don't know what the pitch in Melbourne will be like. Usually your attention goes to the last match of the series.'

Gavaskar was asked if Washington Sundar is being prepared to replace Ashwin? He said, ‘I think Washington Sundar is ahead of him. Rohit (Sharma) told that he (Ashwin) is returning home tomorrow. So this is the end of Ashwin as an international cricketer. He was a great cricketer.’