In a sudden turn of events, the Indian cricket team faced an unexpected setback as the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) dropped a bombshell on Friday night, revealing that premier spinner Ravichandran Ashwin had withdrawn from the ongoing Test match due to a medical emergency in his family. While the board refrained from divulging specific details, it urged the public to respect Ashwin’s privacy during this challenging time and assured full support to the cricketer.
Subsequently, it was disclosed that Ashwin had flown to Chennai to attend to his ailing mother. Rajiv Shukla, the BCCI vice-president, confirmed this development in a post, extending wishes for Ashwin’s mother’s speedy recovery. Shukla’s message conveyed that Ashwin had to abruptly leave the Test match in Rajkot to be with his family.
“Wishing speedy recovery of mother of @ashwinravi99. He has to rush and leave Rajkot Test to Chennai to be with his mother. @BCCI,” Shukla posted on X.
Wishing speedy recovery of mother of @ashwinravi99 . He has to rush and leave Rajkot test to Chennai to be with his mother . @BCCI
— Rajeev Shukla (@ShuklaRajiv) February 16, 2024
The cricketing community rallied behind Ashwin and his family during these trying circumstances. The unexpected turn of events cast a shadow over what was anticipated to be a momentous day for Ashwin, who recently achieved the significant milestone of 500 Test wickets, becoming only the second Indian bowler to reach this landmark.
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The significance of this personal setback on a day that marked a historic achievement in Ashwin’s career is undoubtedly poignant. The BCCI’s careful choice of words suggests the gravity of the situation, emphasizing the need to refrain from speculative discussions.
Ashwin’s mother, Chitra, played a pivotal role in shaping her son’s cricketing journey. While his father, Ravichandran, closely observed Ashwin’s early cricketing endeavors, Chitra served as Ashwin’s first coach. A memorable anecdote reveals that it was on Chitra’s advice that Ashwin transitioned from aspiring to be a fast bowler to embracing spin bowling during his formative years.
The influence of Ashwin’s parents extended beyond cricket, with attempts to expose him to various interests, including Karnataka music classes. Despite these diverse experiences, Ashwin’s passion for cricket ultimately prevailed.
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On the cricket field, Day 2 of the third Test between India and England was eventful for Ashwin. He contributed significantly with the bat, scoring a crucial 39 runs. However, an inadvertent running incident led to India being penalized with 5 runs. Later, with the ball, Ashwin achieved a historic feat by dismissing Zak Crawley and reaching the milestone of 500 Test wickets, becoming the second-fastest bowler to achieve this milestone.
As Ashwin navigates through personal challenges, the cricketing fraternity unites in offering support and well-wishes, recognizing the complexities of balancing personal and professional aspects of a cricketer’s life.
