R Ashwin, after retiring from Test cricket, envisions a broader role on the cricket field in the coming years. His retirement announcement after the third Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy surprised many.
He returned to his hometown, Chennai, to a warm welcome.
In a Sky Sports interview with former England captains Michael Atherton and Nasser Hussain, Ashwin explained that a lack of creative satisfaction contributed to his decision.

“One line I have always said when people ask me ‘what is next?’ I have said the day I wake up and feel that creative side doesn’t have a future or direction is when I would probably give it up.
“I certainly think that creative side did not have a lot of upside to explore. There are laboratories available in world cricket today. So I thought okay if this is not the lab, I can find another one,” said the second highest wicket taker for India in Test cricket.

He plans to continue playing club cricket, including the Indian Premier League (IPL).
Ashwin, currently seventh on the all-time leading wicket-takers list, acknowledges Nathan Lyon is close behind. He expresses contentment with any eventual ranking.

“I won’t be seventh on the list for a long time. Nathan Lyon is breathing down my neck. Glad to be number 8, glad to be whatever number I happen to become eventually.
“One tag that have always come behind me, that people have tended to say that I am a numbers man, I know my numbers, probably gave the impression that I went after number, that was never the case.
“It was all about getting excited to be something else the very next day that I played the game. The game gave me so much to a point where it allowed me to be creative and explore the best inside me. So grateful to the game for giving me all those avenues.
“The cricketer in me is yet to be done. I do visualise myself doing a lot more in the next few years, that tag of being an Indian cricketer can be overwhelming. Now that is off my back, I do have an avenue to explore much more as long as my body is allowing me to do so,” he said.

Ashwin’s retirement decision was somewhat unique. He doesn’t dwell on decisions and avoids attachment.
“There is always that question lies inside you. You keep asking yourself, am I really making this decision the right way? In my case it was slightly different. I don’t know how to position this. But I have never been the kind to hold on to things. I have never felt insecure in life.
“I don’t believe what I have today is probably going to be mine tomorrow. Probably that has been one of my elevating factors. I always wanted to leave things behind as nonchalantly as I can because I do not believe in people celebrating me, I don’t believe in the kind of attention we get sometimes in India. It is always the game that is always stood ahead of me,” said Ashwin.
The outpouring of support after his retirement surprised him. He received calls from his childhood idols, Sachin Tendulkar and Kapil Dev.
“I went to bed one night thinking what the hell have I done? People like Sachin and Kapil Dev. Growing up to me Sachin was everything. I didn’t want him to get out. To get a call from him, he spoke to me at depth about how he felt when he hung up his boots.
“Then Kapil Dev calling me and speaking about what he felt and thought of me was (overwhelming). I have a massive amount of gratitude (for the love that I have received),” he added.

Ruturaj Gaikwad’s unbeaten 148 propelled Maharashtra to a resounding nine-wicket victory over Services in the Vijay Hazare Trophy on Monday. Gaikwad’s explosive 74-ball innings featured 11 sixes and 16 fours. Maharashtra comfortably chased down Services’ total of 204 all out in 48 overs, reaching 205 for one in just 20.2 overs.
Pradeep Dhade and Satyajeet Bachhav spearheaded Maharashtra’s bowling attack. Dhade claimed 3 for 38 while Bachhav took 3 for 36 in their Group B encounter at the Sharad Pawar Cricket Academy.
Mumbai edged out Hyderabad by three wickets in a thrilling Group C match in Ahmedabad on Monday. Atharva Ankolekar was the standout bowler for Mumbai, picking up 4 for 55. Tanush Kotian, recently called up to the Indian squad for the remainder of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, chipped in with 2 for 38 and a crucial 39 with the bat.
Tanmay Agarwal (64) and Aravelly Avinash (52) were the top scorers for Hyderabad. However, their efforts weren’t enough as Hyderabad were bowled out for 169 in 38.1 overs.
Kotian’s 39 and Shreyas Iyer’s rapid 44 off 20 balls proved vital in Mumbai’s chase. Mumbai reached the target of 175 with seven wickets down in 25.2 overs.
Delhi registered a commanding 79-run victory over Madhya Pradesh in their Group E match in Hyderabad on Monday. Indian bowler Navdeep Saini starred with the ball, taking 4 for 37 in his seven overs. Hrithik Shokeen also bowled economically, finishing with figures of 3 for 26 in 8.1 overs.
Anuj Rawat top-scored for Delhi with 78 off 103 balls. Delhi were bowled out for 211 in 48.4 overs.
Despite Surbhanshu Senapati’s 55 and Harsh Gawli’s 42, Madhya Pradesh were bundled out for 132 in 37.1 overs.
Baroda triumphed over Kerala by 62 runs in a high-scoring Group E clash at the Rajiv Gandhi Stadium in Hyderabad. Ninad Rathva’s blistering 136 off 99 balls, Parth Kohli’s 72, and skipper Krunal Pandya’s quickfire 80 propelled Baroda to a mammoth total of 403.

Despite spirited knocks from Rohan Kunnumal (65), Ahammed Imran (51), and Mohammed Azharuddeen (104 off 58 balls), Kerala were bowled out for 341 in their chase.
Brief Scores:
At Mumbai: Services 204 in 48 overs (Mohit Ahlawat 61; Pradeep Dadhe 3/38, Satyajeet Bachhav 3/36) lost to Maharashtra 205/1 in 20.2 overs (Ruturaj Gaikwad 148-) by 9 wickets.
At Jaipur: Manipur 253/7 in 50 overs (Johnson Singh 69; Utkarsh Singh 2/21, Anukul Roy 2/47) lost to Jharkhand 255/2 in 28.3 overs (Ishan Kishan 134, Utkarsh Singh 68) by 8 wickets.
At Ahmedabad: Hyderabad 169 in 38.1 overs (Tanmay Agarwal 64, Aravelly Avinash 52; Atharva Ankolekar 4/55, Tanush Kotian 2/38, Ayush Mhatre 3/17) lost to Mumbai 175/7 in 25.2 overs (Tanush Kotian 39-, Shreyas Iyer 44-; Saranu Nishanth 3/42, Mohammad Muddasir 2/55) by 3 wickets.
At Hyderabad: Delhi 211 in 48.4 overs (Anuj Rawat 78; Kumar Kartikeya 2/24, Sagar Solanki 2/27, Kulwant Khejroliya 2/36) beat MadhyaPradesh 132 in 37.1 overs (Harsh Gawli 42, Subhranshu Senapati 55; Navdeep Saini 4/37, Hrithik Shokeen 3/26) by 79 runs.
At Hyderabad: Baroda 403 in 50 overs (Ninad Rathva 136, Parth Kohli 72, Krunal Pandya 80; Sharafuddeen 2/51) beat Kerala 341 in 45.5 overs (Rohan Kunnumal 65, Ahammed Imran 51, Mohammed Azharuddeen 104; Akash Maharaj Singh 3/70) by 62 runs.