Ravichandran Ashwin received a hero’s welcome at his Chennai home after returning from Australia post-retirement. The veteran off-spinner announced his retirement on December 18, following the third Test of the 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) in Brisbane.
Ashwin arrived in India within 24 hours of retiring from international cricket. He was warmly greeted at the Chennai airport, with massive crowds gathering outside his home to celebrate the legendary cricketer.
The 38-year-old was overwhelmed by the grand reception and told reporters that the last time he experienced such a welcome was after India’s 2011 ODI World Cup victory.
“Thank you so much for coming over here,” the veteran spinner said. “I didn’t expect that so many of you would come here. I just thought I’ll come quietly, sit, and relax at home. But this has made my day, thank you.”
“After playing Test cricket for so many years – the last time it (the reception) was like this after we won the 2011 World Cup and I came home. It’s the same feeling so you go down the same memory lane and walk back from it.”
Ashwin also shared that his decision to retire was made on impulse, as he had only considered it a day before announcing his departure from international cricket.
“It’s not. It’s emotional for a lot of people. It will be emotional, maybe it will sink in. But for me personally, I think it’s a great sense of relief and satisfaction. It’s very instinctive – it’s been running in my head for a while but it’s very instinctive. I just felt on Day 4 and just called it on Day 5 itself,” he added.
“I am laughing”- Ravichandran Ashwin comments on his contentment with the decision
The former No.1 Test bowler appeared cheerful while addressing reporters outside his home. When questioned about his decision, Ashwin responded:
“Can’t you see it, I am laughing. What more do I need?”
Discussing his future goals, Ashwin humorously mentioned that he might try staying quiet for a change. He concluded:
“Nothing at all, I just want to be quiet for a while. For me staying quiet (without doing anything) is difficult so that’s what I’m going to try a little.”
Ashwin’s final appearance for India was in the second Test of the 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Brisbane, where he scored 29 runs and took one wicket across two innings in a 10-wicket defeat for India.
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