Ravichandran Ashwin’s 100th Test, a milestone in his illustrious career, was marred by a personal crisis. The veteran spinner had to leave the India vs England Test series abruptly due to a medical emergency involving his mother, Chitra.
Ashwin’s 500th Test wicket, a landmark achievement, was overshadowed by the news of his mother’s condition. Hours after claiming the scalp of England’s Zak Crawley, Ashwin received the distressing news and immediately departed from the team camp.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) released a statement expressing support for Ashwin during this difficult time. “Ravichandran Ashwin has withdrawn from the Test squad, effective immediately due to a family medical emergency. In these challenging times, the BCCI and the team fully supports Ashwin,” the statement read.
Ashwin later recounted the harrowing experience on his YouTube channel. “I realized I was not getting calls from my parents or wife. I called my wife around 7 PM, asking why my parents weren’t answering my call. Her voice was a bit shaky. She asked me to come separately from the crowd and told me that my mother collapsed after a headache,” he said.
Ashwin’s emotional state was evident in his social media posts. In a humorous tweet, he shared a comparison of his match figures in his debut Test and his 100th Test, both of which were identical. “No improvement after all these years of playing the game. ‘Only my mom can say things like this,'” he wrote.
Despite the personal setback, Ashwin’s commitment to the team remained unwavering. He returned to the squad after his mother’s condition stabilized and played a crucial role in India’s victory in the series.
Ashwin’s experience highlights the challenges that athletes face in balancing their professional and personal lives. The support of the BCCI and his teammates during this difficult time is a testament to the importance of human connection and empathy in the world of sports.
