Ravichandran Ashwin's Cryptic Post Sparks Speculation: Was He Hinting at Virat Kohli's Retirement?

The Australia tour has turned into a nightmare for Virat Kohli. The star batsman has failed to open his account in both the Perth and Adelaide ODIs, and now a social media post by veteran spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has stirred controversy. Following India’s loss in Adelaide, Ashwin shared a photo of a signboard in the colors of the Indian flag with the words “Just leave it” written below. The cryptic post quickly went viral, with fans linking it to Kohli’s recent struggles.

Was Ashwin’s message directed at Kohli?
Ashwin’s post immediately set social media abuzz. Fans began speculating whether the spinner was indirectly advising Kohli to consider stepping away from the game. One user even commented, “Ashwin’s message for Kohli is clear — quit cricket before it leaves you.” The timing of the post, coming right after Kohli’s back-to-back ducks and India’s series loss, only fueled the debate further.

Kohli’s form continues to decline
Kohli’s poor run has been a major concern for Team India. In Perth, he was dismissed after facing just eight balls — caught by Cooper Connolly off Mitchell Starc’s outswinger. In Adelaide, he fell LBW to young pacer Xavier Bartlett for a duck, marking the first time since 2012 that Kohli has been dismissed leg-before in an ODI on Australian soil. His body language on the field has also appeared subdued, adding to concerns about his confidence and future in international cricket.

While Ashwin has not clarified the meaning behind his post, the timing and tone have certainly raised eyebrows. Whether it was a general motivational message or a subtle comment on the current state of Indian cricket remains unclear — but the coincidence with Kohli’s poor form has ensured that fans are reading between the lines.