Former India spinner Ravichandran Ashwin revealed that, after the home Test series loss against England in 2012, he made a promise to himself that he would retire if India lost one more time at home.
Speaking on his YouTube channel, Ashwin said: “I made myself a promise after the series loss against England in 2012 that if we ever lost another home series, I’d retire. The New Zealand series loss is ultimately the reason why I am sitting at home today — it broke me.”
India suffered a 3–0 whitewash against New Zealand at home in 2024, and Ashwin decided to retire during the following assignment — the Border–Gavaskar Trophy in Australia.
England defeated India 2–1 in 2012, when the England spinners performed brilliantly. However, after that setback, India became a dominant force at home, winning 18 consecutive Test series. But the streak was finally ended by New Zealand.
India then faced another whitewash, losing comprehensively to South Africa at home by 2–0 in the recently concluded series. Ashwin believes that a series loss like this can serve as a turning point for players in their careers. He expressed hope that the current squad will reflect deeply on the defeat, respond with renewed determination, and make the necessary adjustments to their game.
“And I hope this happens to players after this series and that they come out determined to change themselves,” he added.
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