R Ashwin’s retirement came at a time — during the India vs Australia Test series — when no one really expected it. Now, a few months after the bold decision to call it a day on his glorious career, the 38-year-old has revealed, that he was looking to retire a little earlier than that.
R Ashwin Wanted to Retire After 100th Test
In fact, he minced no words and admitted that he wanted his 100th Test, against England in Dharamsala in 2024, to be his last. He had even invited MS Dhoni for the same. But then, the latter could not make it there. “I called MS Dhoni for my 100th Test in Dharamshala to hand over the memento. I wanted to make that my last Test. But he couldn’t make it.
Invited MS Dhoni for Milestone Encounter
“However, I didn’t think he would give me the gift of getting me back to CSK. It’s a much better one. So, thank you, MS, for doing it. I’m glad to be here,” said Ashwin during a book launch event on Sunday. “Most importantly, I have come back to CSK not as someone who has achieved so much but as someone who has gone through the full circle and wants to come back here and enjoy just like before. It is a wonderful place to be,” he added.
It is important to note that R Ashwin was bagged by CSK for a massive 9.75 Cr in the IPL Auction in November. He parted ways with the team in 2016, after an uber-successful stint with them. In 121 matches for the yellows, he went on to bag 120 wickets at an average of 23 and an economy rate of 6.66.
