'They just kicked me out!': Ravichandran Ashwin's hilarious take on retirement

NEW DELHI: Former India spinner Ravichandran Ashwin had the audience in splits with his witty response when asked about his life post-retirement. Speaking at the BCCI Naman Awards 2025 in Mumbai on Saturday, where he was felicitated for his stellar career, Ashwin revealed how his family has reacted to him being at home full-time.

"They just kicked me out, they've had enough of me already," Ashwin joked. "Look, I've never been home for this stretch together. I have dropped children before, but dropping and picking them up and also being part of their daily routine is something I didn't sign up for. But I must admit, I am enjoying quite a bit."
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Ashwin, who recently bid farewell to international cricket, retired as India's second-highest wicket-taker with 765 wickets across formats. In addition to his prowess with the ball, he also contributed significantly with the bat, amassing 4,394 runs, including six centuries and 14 fifties.

Reflecting on his illustrious career, Ashwin cherished the moment he got to play alongside his childhood idol, Sachin Tendulkar. "My dream was to stand next to Sachin Tendulkar and play the game. It was gratification and a dream come true for a very normal middle-class guy," he said. "The entire journey has been a huge high, difficult to put a finger on a single performance. For me, the entire journey has been about discovery and rediscovery. I have evolved a lot as a cricketer and an individual. Built a lot of great relationships at the back half of my career."
While he may have retired from international cricket, Ashwin is far from done with the sport. The 38-year-old revealed that he has already begun preparations for the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) season, where he will don the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) jersey once again after the franchise secured him for Rs 9.75 crore in the auction.
"I am practicing, training with my trainer as IPL is also coming," Ashwin confirmed.
As he transitions into this new phase of life, Ashwin's humour and passion for the game remain intact, ensuring that cricket fans will continue to witness his genius on the field, at least for a little while longer.