Former South African cricketer Daryl Cullinan has questioned Ravichandran Ashwin’s decision to take sudden retirement during the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) down under. Cullinan opined that Ashwin’s decision to take a retirement mid-series was a selfish move by the 38-year-old. Notably, Ashwin announced his retirement from international cricket after the third Test at the Gabba, Brisbane. He only played in the day night Test in Adelaide which turned out to be his last international game for India.
Daryl Cullinan said that Ravichandran Ashwin shouldn’t have taken retirement mid-series as it could have affected the team's momentum. "Ashwin should not be retiring or allowed to retire mid-series. It was a selfish move, clearly for reasons he won't make public. It was a spiteful reaction to not being selected. It can be disruptive to a team mid-series. It was a matter of weeks. He could have retired after Sydney," Cullinan was quoted as saying by NDTV Sports.
If India win in Sydney, it's been a successful tour for them: Daryl Cullinan
India are on the verge of losing the Border-Gavaskar Trophy after 10 years following a loss in the Boxing Day Test by 184 runs at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. Australia are currently 2-1 up in the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy. The fifth and the final Test will be played at Sydney Cricket Ground starting on January 3. India can’t win the Test series, but they still have a chance to retain the Border-Gavaskar Trophy with a win in the Sydney Test. Daryl Cullinan is confident that India can win the fifth Test, and level the series.
"I want to stress that if India win in Sydney, it's been a successful tour for them. I can't see why they can't win in Sydney! In fact, I think they will," Cullinan said.
