One of the finest spinners to play the game, Ravichandran Ashwin showed his true character as he returned to join the Indian team on Day 4 of the third Test against England, after taking a leave post conclusion of the second day due to a family emergency. Ashwin reached the 500 Test wickets milestone on Day 2 of the Rajkot Test and even attended the press conference after the end of the day’s play but had to fly back home because of an emergency. Ashwin returned from home on Sunday and bagged his 501st Test wicket, prompting an emotional note from his wife Prithi.
It isn’t yet fully known what the emergency was for Ashwin and his family but his wife Prithi summed up the nature of the situation, saying those were the longest 48 hours for the family.
“We chased the 500 to Hyderabad, it didn’t happen. To Vizag, it didn’t happen. So I just bought a ton of sweets and gave it to everyone at home at 499. 500 came and went quietly. Till it didn’t. A lot happened between 500 and 501. Longest 48 hours of our lives,” Ashwin’s wife Prithi wrote in a post on Instagram.
“But this is about the 500. And the 499 before that. What a phenomenal achievement. What a phenomenal guy. I am insanely proud of you Ravi Ashwin. We love you!” she added.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) had confirmed in a press release on Sunday that Ashwin will be available to rejoin his teammates in Rajkot on Sunday.
“The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is pleased to announce the return of Ravichandran Ashwin to the squad after a brief absence due to a family emergency. Ashwin had to temporarily withdraw from the squad after Day 2 of the 3rd Test in Rajkot to attend to a family emergency,” BCCI said in a statement.
“Both R Ashwin and the team management are pleased to confirm that he will be back in action on Day 4 and will continue to contribute towards the team’s cause in the ongoing Test match,” the statement further read.
The BCCI arranged a chartered plane for Ashwin to help him reach Rajkot in time for India’s bowling in the second innings. Despite the tricky situation, causing mental trauma and fatigue due to constant travel, Ashwin looked on-song when he was handed the ball on Day 4 by skipper Rohit Sharma.
