Kumble expresses anger towards Team India management for Ashwin's unexpected departure: 'He deserves a proper farewell. Extremely let down'

The abrupt decision to retire from cricket has sparked criticism about the team management's approach towards Indian legend Ravichandran Ashwin. Even former Indian captain and cricketing stalwart Anil Kumble has voiced his disappointment regarding the situation. Kumble shared his opinion on the matter through a column in Sportstar, stating that Ashwin was worthy of a more notable send-off, and there should have been a proper retirement plan in place for the star player.

"Players who have contributed for such a long period deserve a grand farewell. They need to be sat down and offered an appropriate plan on how you want them to leave the game. I was very disappointed with the way Ashwin left," Kumble wrote.

“Many cricketers in the past missed out on a farewell, too. The kind of benchmarks he has set won’t be easy for anyone to live up to. He served Indian cricket with distinction.”

Ashwin retired as India's second-highest wicket-taker in the longest format, only behind Kumble himself. While Kumble ended his career with 619 wickets to his name, Ashwin had 537.

Expected Ashwin to go past 619

Kumble revealed he told Ashwin that the off-spinner should set his sights on the 600-wicket mark, and then 619.

“I remember telling Ashwin he should get to 600 when he crossed the 500 mark — and then 619. The way he was going, he had a very good chance. He didn’t have a great series against New Zealand, but that was one in 14 years,” said Kumble.

Ashwin endured a rare failure during the series against New Zealand, where he ended with 9 wickets in three Tests. The series also saw India's first-ever clean-sweep defeat in a three-Test series on home soil, and India's first home Test series defeat since 2012.

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