Ravichanran Ashwin announces shock retirement after Brisbane Test, more changes forecast

India’s Ravichandran Ashwin has ended his illustrious career in mysterious circumstances, with Rohit Sharma predicting more post-Gabba Test changes following the sudden retirement.

Struggling Indian skipper Rohit Sharma will consider moving back to the top of the order for the Boxing Day Test as the tourists seek to retain the Border-Gavaskar Trophy despite the mysterious retirement of spin great Ravichandran Ashwin.

However hopes of pace star Mohammed Shami returning to feature in the Test series’ denouement are fading as Rohit conceded India did not want to risk mirroring Australia’s fate by having a bowler break down mid-Test.

Having been buoyed by their tailenders’ effort to stave off the follow-on on Tuesday, India ran through Australia’s battling top order on Wednesday what could be a fillip for the remainder of the series.

There will be no more involvement though for Ashwin, who called time on his international career effective immediately at the end of the third Test.

Ravichandran Ashwin dismissed Mitch Marsh in Adelaide. Picture: Paul Kane/Getty Images.

The 38-year-old had played just one of the three Tests thus far in the BGT series, taking 1-53 as Australia romped to a 10-wicket win in Adelaide.

He will leave Australia on Thursday as the seventh-most prolific bowler in Test history, having taken 537 wickets as well as making six centuries.

Ashwin did not take questions as he sat alongside Rohit to take his final bow as an international player.

“This will be my last day as an Indian cricketer in all formats as in the at the international level,” he said after the Test.

“I must say I’ve created a lot of memories alongside Rohit and several of my other teammates, even though I’ve lost some of them over the last few years.”

Rohit would not shed any further light on Ashwin’s call.

“Some decisions are very personal and I don’t think too many questions should be asked,” Rohit said.

“He was very sure about what he wanted to do. The team has complete backing of his thought process.

“If this is what he thinks, we should allow him to think that way. His record speaks for itself as well. He’s been such a servant of Indian cricket. He’s probably left no stone unturned.”

Rohit flopped once more in Brisbane, making just 10 before falling to Pat Cummins to continue a months-long Test form slump.

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Ravichandran Ashwin asks captain Rohit Sharma to review an LBW appeal. Picture: Getty

aving missed the first Test in Perth following the birth of his child, Rohit has batted in the middle order rather than his usual position at the top, but would not guarantee he would stay there for the fourth Test beginning on Boxing Day at the MCG.

“I’m not too sure about that. As of now we’ll think about one thing at a time. Right now we’ve got a week off, and then there’s little bit of time left for that Melbourne Test match. We’ll think about it,” Rohit said.

“Whatever is the best thing for the team to do we will try and do that.”

Shami has been absent throughout the Test series as he makes his way back from injury, and while Rohit would still not close the book on him being added to the squad, he said no risks would be taken.

“The last thing you want (is) the player coming here and then pulling out in the middle of the game.”

Australia had to contend with such a situation when Josh Hazlewood hurt his calf on the morning of day four of the Brisbane Test.

Originally published as Ravichanran Ashwin announces shock retirement after Brisbane Test, more changes forecast