Ashwin would’ve thought about retirement for a while before making the decision: Abhinav Mukund
The HinduRavichandran Ashwin’s decision to hang up his boots from all forms of international cricket may have come as a surprise for many, but not for his old friend Abhinav Mukund. Having seen Ashwin from close quarters since age-group cricket days in Chennai, Abhinav - a former India batter himself - got a feeling that ‘Ash’, as the spinner is fondly known as by his team-mates, was thinking about moving on, when the two had a long chat in Chennai a couple of months ago, on the sidelines of India’s first Test against Bangladesh. I almost sensed it then, ‘oh, I can’t believe it, but Ashwin now actually enjoys his family time more than the time on the field.’…” Abhinav added with a smile. “I really wished and hoped that he would go this big route of these 10 Test matches, and then, maybe come home and call it a day…” Growing up in Chennai around the same time, Abhinav and Ashwin have risen through the ranks - from school cricket to state team, followed by breaking into the India fold - and knowing him well, Abhinav is convinced that it wasn’t a hasty decision by the spin ace.