Cricket
After India’s 2–0 home loss to South Africa, Ashwin finally reveals the real reason behind his retirement
Ashwin said he took a vow in 2012 that he would retire if India ever lost a home Test series again
For more than 10 years after that vow, India stayed unbeaten in home Test series
In 2024, New Zealand whitewashed India 3–0 at home. That defeat pushed Ashwin to retire
Ashwin said the NZ loss broke his heart and he couldn’t accept losing at home again
Ashwin played 106 Tests and took 537 wickets, ending as India’s second-highest wicket-taker in Tests