‘He looked unhappy; deserved a fitting farewell’: Kapil Dev expresses shock on R Ashwin’s retirement decision | Cricket News

India’s World Cup winning skipper Kapil Dev on Thursday said that Ravichandran Ashwin deserved a fitting farewell expressing shock on the off spinner’s sudden retirement on Wednesday after the 3rd Test between India and Australia at the Gabba.
“I was shocked how one of India’s greatest cricketers chose to leave the game. The disappointment among the fans was widespread, but I also saw a tinge of hurt on his face. He looked unhappy, and that was sad. He deserved much better, a fitting farewell,” Kapil to PTI.
“He could have waited and announced his retirement on Indian soil, but I don’t know why Ashwin called it a day. I would want to hear his side of the story. Give him that respect. He has played 106 Tests for the country. I don’t think anyone can match his humongous contribution to Indian cricket,” Kapil added.
The 65-year-old also urged the BCCI to give Ashwin a grand farewell, calling him a stalwart, a versatile and unorthodox bowler.
“I’m sure the parent body of cricket in India, BCCI, shall plan a grand farewell for this giant match-winner of Team India,” he said.
“He was ready to experiment, and that is what set him apart. In a game where the batters get the most accolades, Ashwin stood out with his prowess. Ashwin was brave. He could bowl at any stage of the contest. Do you find bowlers with such tremendous tactical sense who can adapt quickly? He was his captain’s go-to man,” Kapil added.

Ashwin on Wednesday retired from all formats of international cricket and will take no part in the remaining two Tests in the Border Gavaskar Trophy, having already landed in India on Thursday morning.

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