Image Source: BCCI
[Saba Sports News] Ravichandran Ashwin, the eminent Indian off-spinner, has been the center of attention following his 500th Test wicket milestone and an unexpected exit from the third Test against England due to an urgent family matter.
Furthermore, he is on the brink of his 100th Test match, set to be played in Dharamsala. The BCCI recently teased fans with a preview of an interview with Ashwin, where he expresses a desire to focus on continual learning rather than dwelling on his past achievements.
Ashwin’s sudden departure from the Rajkot Test right after reaching his 500th wicket was due to a pressing family emergency concerning his mother’s health.
While Ashwin remained private about the situation, his wife, Prithi, publicly shared the urgency of the situation in a column, detailing the swift actions taken to ensure Ashwin could be with his mother, who had been urgently hospitalized.
“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,” Prithi wrote. “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 coordinated with teammate Cheteshwar Pujara to plan Ashwin’s quick return home, initially hesitant to disturb Ashwin without a confirmed return plan.
The collective effort of the team and BCCI officials ensured Ashwin’s prompt journey back home, showcasing the strong support system within the team.
Upon his return, Ashwin found his mother in ICU but stable, which allowed him to rejoin the team, demonstrating his dedication to both his family and his professional commitments.