Ravichandran Ashwin exhibited remarkable courage during the third Test of the India vs. England series. Granted permission to leave mid-match to tend to his mother in the ICU, the respected off-spinner swiftly traveled to Chennai. He later returned to rejoin the team on Day 4, highlighting his unwavering dedication and resilience in the face of personal challenges. Ashwin’s commitment to both family and cricket duties earned him widespread admiration and praise from fans and cricketing fraternity alike.
Ashwin’s Wife’s Words:
Ashwin joined an elite club, becoming the third Indian cricketer, following Anil Kumble, to secure 500 Test wickets, achieving this milestone on Day 2 of the third Test in Rajkot. However, he was unexpectedly summoned to Chennai as his mother, Chitra, fell ill, robbing him of the chance to relish the moment. Pritha Narayanan, Ashwin’s wife, shared insights into the events of Friday, February 16th, shedding light on the challenging circumstances faced by the renowned cricketer.
She said, “Unlike the excitement around his 100th Test, as a family, we were very cocooned when he was on 499 wickets. That was because Ashwin did not talk about it. During Rajkot, the kids had just got back from school when five minutes later, he got to 500. And soon, all of us were on the phone answering all the congratulatory messages”.
She also said, “It was then that I heard a sudden scream from aunty as she collapsed, and in no time we were at the hospital. At that point, we had decided not to tell Ashwin because there wasn’t good flight connectivity between Chennai and Rajkot”.
Prithi Thanks BCCI and Pujara:
Prithi disclosed that Cheteshwar Pujara and his family extended assistance after she notified the renowned batsman about her mother-in-law’s tragic incident. She expressed gratitude to India captain Rohit Sharma, head coach , and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) for their unwavering support during the Ashwin family’s challenging time.
She said, “So I dialled Cheteshwar Pujara and his family were of great help. And once we found a way out, I called up Ashwin because after the scans, the doctor suggested it was better to have her son around. Over the phone, he sounded so broken and hung up. It took another 20-25 minutes to process what I told him and for him to call back. And thanks to Rohit (Sharma), Rahul bhai (Dravid) and the others in the team and the BCCI — who followed up all the way till he reached here — he got here late at night”.
Prithi on Ashwin’s Love for Cricket:
Prithi stressed Ashwin’s allegiance to the Indian team and his desire for quality time with his parents, highlighting his commitment to cricket and family. Her insights reveal Ashwin’s dedication to maintaining a balance between the professional and personal aspects of his life, portraying him as a well-rounded individual with a deep love for both cricket and family.
She added, “It was a very emotional moment for him to see his mom in the ICU. And after she stabilised, we asked him to rejoin the team. Given his personality, he would never leave a game like that. And he would have an extreme amount of guilt if he didn’t win the game for his team. Through those couple of days, I realised his yearning for time with his parents is a lot more now and it is coming with age and maturity.”
As India prepares to take on England in Dharamsala on Thursday, March 7th, Ashwin will celebrate his 100th Test match, boasting 17 wickets in four matches against England thus far. This significant milestone reflects Ashwin’s remarkable journey and enduring contributions to Indian cricket.
As he gears up for this special occasion, Ashwin’s stellar performance against England underscores his prowess as a premier spinner, showcasing his invaluable role in shaping the team’s success on the international stage.
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