There was the mandatory shower of flower petals, lots of smiles and a live band too as Ravichandran Ashwin returned home on Thursday after shockingly announcing his retirement on Wednesday midway through the Test series against Australia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He landed at the Chennai International Airport early this morning and was escorted out by officials of the state cricket association.\u00a0The 38-year-old didn’t speak to the waiting media as he hopped into his car where his wife Prithi and 2 daughters were waiting for him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“It’s emotional for a lot of people, and may be it will sink in (in some time) but for me, personally, it is a great sense of relief and satisfaction. It was very instinctive and it has been running in my head for a while. I just felt (it) on Day 4 and I just called it a day,” Ashwin said, referring to the drawn third Test in Brisbane.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Asked if he regretted not being the captain of the national side, Ashwin dismissed the suggestion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“I can’t do it now. I have no such regrets. In fact, I have zero regrets. I have seen from a distance those people with regrets but I don’t have any such regrets,” Ashwin added.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“I never thought so many people will come here. I just wanted a quiet entry, and was looking forward to relax at home. But you have made my day. I have played Test cricket for so many years, but the last time (I saw something) like this was after the 2011 World Cup,” Ashwin further said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Ashwin on Wednesday announced retirement with immediate effect in the middle of the five-match Test series that is currently locked 1-1 after three games.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“To be honest, we all go through a lot in our career, not only for cricketers but in general. Generally, when I go to sleep I remember a lot of things like taking wickets, making runs, but those memories are not there in the last two years. So, that was a clear indication that we need to take a different route now,” Ashwin said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“I have not set any new goals, as I just want to relax now. Actually, it’s difficult for me to stay inactive, but I want to try that now,” Ashwin added.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
After announcing his retirement, Ashwin also stated that he will continue to play club cricket and will also feature for the Chennai Super Kings in IPL next year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“I think that part for me is still burning bright. I am going to play for CSK and don’t be surprised if I aspire to play for as long as I can. I don’t think Ashwin the cricketer is done, I think only Ashwin the Indian cricketer called time. That’s it,” Ashwin concluded.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
The veteran spinner announced his retirement from international cricketer following India’s draw against Australia in the Brisbane Test<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":421,"featured_media":1216763,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[1],"tags":[191,269,260,15329,236],"yoast_head":"\n