NEW DELHI: Ravichandran Ashwin, one of India’s finest cricketers, stunned fans and the cricketing fraternity by announcing his retirement from international cricket following the third Test of the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Brisbane.
The ace spinner brought the curtains down on an illustrious 14-year career, finishing as the second most successful Indian bowler with 537 wickets in 106 Tests, including 37 five-wicket hauls. Ashwin also proved his mettle with the bat, scoring six centuries and 3,503 runs at an average of 25.75.
In an interview with 7Cricket, Ashwin and his wife, Prithi, shared personal anecdotes about their journey, giving fans a rare glimpse into their lives beyond the cricket field.
From Schoolmates to Life Partners
Prithi spoke about their early connection: “We kind of knew each other in middle school. We were classmates in school, that’s it. Nothing more than that.”
Ashwin added humorously, “That was not the era of cell phones, right? You have to call somebody on the landline. Every time I called her on the landline, her father would pick up. So, what are the odds you’ll be in a relationship for such a long time?”
Years later, the two reconnected during Ashwin’s early days in the IPL. “When you are in the IPL, you end up doing some things. That’s when I met her for the first time after a long time. Then we started going out,” Ashwin recalled.
He also shared the story of his spontaneous proposal. “One fine day, I proposed to her at Chemplast Cricket Ground. The intention was not to propose; I was just taking her out,” he said.
Prithi, laughing, described the moment as “off-guard,” saying, “It was very early. Drop the bomb very early and kind of see what fell into place.”
Life in the Spotlight
The couple opened up about the challenges of balancing fame and family life in India. “Chennai by itself is not a very intrusive, curious crowd. They will not bother you too much,” Prithi said. “But it takes a lot of effort to just walk out because then you have to deal with people. You can’t have a quiet couple of minutes on the road. Go get a coffee and come back – that quietness is something we miss a lot.”
Ashwin acknowledged the demands of fame but maintained a positive outlook. “People love you. The worst thing that could happen? There might be five-six people gather around, and you just need to say, ‘Yes, okay, I will smile and take a picture,’ or ‘No, give me some space.’ That’s it,” he said.
Prithi added how their children sometimes long for normalcy: “When your children come along, you don’t want to keep saying no to them all the time. Simple things like walking to the stationery shop, buying a packet of unicorn pencils, and coming back with their daddy – it’s game-changing for them.”
Prithi further added, “He’s the kind of guy who wants to keep doing something. He’s done it from the age of eight, constantly moving. As much as I tease you, you’ve earned this. You’ve sacrificed a lot over time – time with your parents, kids, me. Not so much me, but a little bit,” she said with a smile.
As the couple laughed and reflected on their shared experiences, Ashwin concluded with a grin, “This doesn’t look like an interview; it looks like a message for me.”
A Legacy to Cherish
Ashwin’s retirement marks the end of an era for Indian cricket, but his legacy as a world-class spinner and a role model off the field will live on. With his characteristic humility and humor, Ashwin leaves the game richer than he found it, inspiring fans and aspiring cricketers alike.