It has been the end of an era in Indian cricket as legendary off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin announced his retirement from all forms of international cricket as soon as the India vs Australia 3rd Test at Brisbane got over. This has come as a shocking decision for fans and many former players as well, including Ashwin's predecessor and legendary off-spinner Harbhajan Singh. In an exclusive interaction with Sports Now, Harbhajan has shared his reaction after Ashwin announced his retirement.

Harbhajan Singh said that he was very shocked to see such Ashwin taking such a big decision in the middle of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. He also said that he expected Ashwin to play a crucial role in the 4th and 5th Test matches in Melbourne and Sydney respectively since spinners usually do well in these grounds. However, he wished Ashwin for a legendary career for Team India.

"I was very surprised. I was a little shocked that such a big decision came in the middle of a series. But we need to respect the fact that whatever decision he has taken, he must have taken it with a lot of thought. He is a very thinking cricketer. He is a great player. Salute to his achievement. Salute to him. He has been a great player. He has won a lot of matches and series for India. So, well done on a great career and I hope that the future is better than the field of cricket. This is my prayer for you," Harbhajan said.

Harbhajan Singh further revealed that Washington Sundar might be given more preference when India travel to England for their next Test Series in 2025. Ashwin has anyway not played much on foreign tours in the recent past. Hence, this might have played a role in Ashwin announcing his retirement.

"When you are not played continuously (outside India). You play only one or two matches. So, sometimes the player thinks, 'What else do I have to prove so that I am played outside continuously?'" Harbhajan further said.

"I am hearing this from here and there that Washington Sundar will be given more attention. There are 5 matches in England. Only two spinners will go there. And who will be those two spinners? Jadeja and Ashwin. Or Jadeja and Washington Sundar. Maybe there are many things in the player's mind. We don't know. But all I can say is... This decision was not easy," the legendary off-spinner opined.

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