R Ashwin ended his India career after the Gabba Test against Australia and he is set to return to India soon. Ashwin was only included in the playing XI once in the first 3 Tests and he announced his retirement after a drawn affair. He was on the bench in the Gabba Test match. Social media is flooded with wishes for Ashwin, one of India's biggest match-winners.

Sunil Gavaskar criticised Ashwin's decision to retire in the middle of the series and said that he could have retired after the series. Speaking to the broadcaster, the India legend said: "He could have said, listen after the end of the series, I won't be available for selection for India. What it does is that, similarly when MS Dhoni retired at the end of the 3rd Test in 2014-15 series, it leaves you one short."

"The selection committee has picked so many players for a tour with a purpose. If there are any injuries they can select from the reserve players to have in the team. So, Sydney is somewhere where there is a lot of support on offer for spinners. So India could have played with two spinners. You never know. He could have been there for sure. I don't know how the pitch in Melbourne will be like. Normally, you tend to look at the end of the series. That's it. In the middle, it is not usual," he added.

Washington Sundar and Ravindra Jadeja are two spinners in the squad. Sundar pipped Ashwin and Jadeja to get a place in the playing XI in the first Test in Perth. Jadeja replaced Ashwin for the Gabba Test.

Jadeja is expected to retain his place in the playing XI for the Boxing Day Test match, starting December 26. Sundar could join Jadeja in the playing XI in the fifth Test match in Sydney, to be played from January 3 to 7. The third Test match ended in a draw, which means the series is still levelled 1-1. The fourth game will be played at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.

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