Anil Kumble Criticizes Team India Management for Mishandling Ashwin's Retirement: "He Deserved a Grand Farewell"

Anil Kumble has voiced his frustration over how Ravichandran Ashwin’s retirement was handled, expressing disappointment with the lack of planning and respect shown to the veteran cricketer. 

As Team India braces for potential changes in the longest format, the sudden announcement of Ashwin’s retirement during the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy has raised questions. After featuring in the second Test of the series, the off-spinner decided to retire abruptly, returning home the very next day. This unexpected decision has sparked concerns about how the team management dealt with the exit of one of India's greatest cricketers.

In his column for Sportstar, Kumble emphasized that players who have contributed significantly to Indian cricket deserve a dignified farewell. He criticized the manner in which Ashwin’s departure was managed, stating that there should have been a structured approach to guide his retirement. 

“Players who have dedicated themselves to the game for so long deserve a fitting farewell. They should be consulted and given a proper plan for how they will transition out of international cricket. I was deeply disappointed with how Ashwin’s retirement was handled,” Kumble wrote.

Reflecting on Ashwin’s career, Kumble acknowledged the off-spinner's immense contribution to Indian cricket, stating that the standards Ashwin set over the years would be difficult for future players to match. He also expressed regret that many cricketers, including Ashwin, missed out on a proper farewell.

A MILESTONE UNREACHED

Kumble also revealed that he had previously urged Ashwin to aim for significant milestones in his career. "When Ashwin crossed the 500-wicket mark, I told him to target 600 wickets and eventually 619," Kumble shared. "Given his form, I believed he had a good chance to achieve that. Although he didn’t have a great series against New Zealand, one series in 14 years doesn’t define a career."

Ashwin’s performance during the 2022-23 New Zealand series, where he took just nine wickets in three Tests, was a rare blip in an otherwise stellar career. That series also marked India’s first-ever clean-sweep loss at home, as well as their first Test series defeat on home soil since 2012.

Kumble's comments underscore his belief that Ashwin deserved better recognition for his long and successful career, and that his retirement should have been handled with greater care and respect.