R Ashwin stands by his father after he linked his son’s unexpected retirement to feelings of ‘humiliation’

New Delhi: Ravichandran Ashwin addressed the controversy surrounding his father’s remarks about his unexpected retirement from international cricket on Thursday. The renowned spinner supported his father’s alleged statement, which hinted that humiliation played a role in his surprising decision to retire.

Ashwin’s father reportedly shared with CNN News18 that his son’s abrupt retirement decision could have been a result of being disrespected by the team management. While the specific context was unclear, his statement fueled online speculations about a possible rift between the player and the BCCI on Thursday.

The 38-year-old spinner reached Chennai on Thursday morning and responded to a fan’s query on his X page regarding his thoughts on his father’s remarks. Ashwin playfully addressed the speculation, urging everyone to forgive and refrain from bothering his father.

“My dad isn’t media trained, dey father enna da ithelaam (What is this?). I never thought you would follow this rich tradition of dad statements,” Ashwin wrote in his X post. “Request you all to forgive him and leave him alone.”

My dad isn’t media trained, dey father enna da ithelaam .

I never thought you would follow this rich tradition of “dad statements” .

Request you all to forgive him and leave him alone https://t.co/Y1GFEwJsVc

— Ashwin (@ashwinravi99) December 19, 2024

Earlier on Thursday, Ashwin’s father revealed his surprise at the bowler’s retirement decision.

“I too came to know last minute, actually. What was going on in his mind I don’t know,” Ashwin’s father was quoted saying by CNN News18. “He just announced. I too accepted it with full pleasure. I did not have any feeling at all for that. But the way he gave his retirement, one part I was very happy, another part not happy because he should have continued. “(Retiring) is his (Ashwin’s) wish and desire, I cannot interfere in that, but the way in which he gave that, there could be many reasons. Only Ashwin knows, maybe humiliation.”