Though Ravichandran Ashwin scripted history during the Test series against England, it wasn’t a time for him to celebrate. He left the third Test in Rajkot midway because his mother was unwell.
After he got to his 500th Test wicket, his wife Prithi Narayanan told him his mother had collapsed after a severe headache. Ashwin revealed he blanked out and started crying.
Ashwin then added that his wife told Rohit Sharma and Rahul Dravid about it. Later, the captain and coach came to Ashwin’s room, telling him to “just pack your bags and leave now.” Ashwin also thanked Cheteshwar Pujara for arranging a chartered flight.
I was crying, but I was trying to make sure no one saw me crying. I don't why I felt like that but it was instinctive. I felt blank. I sat in my room alone. I was crying. Ashwin said on his YouTube channel
The 37-year-old Ashwin then said that Sharma told team physio Kamlesh to join the spinner on his flight to Chennai. But Ashwin insisted the physio stay back with the team. But after reaching the airport, he saw Kamlesh. Ashwin further added that Sharma used to call Kamlesh to keep a tab on him, and this warm gesture from the Indian captain left the spinner “gobsmacked.”
I see an outstanding leader in Rohit Sharma. He is something special. Because of this kind heart, he has won so many titles, including 5 IPL titles. God doesn't give easily. I hope Rohit achieves something even more big. I will pray to God for that. He added
Ravichandran Ashwin’s performance against England
The fifth match was also Ravichandran Ashwin‘s 100th Test match. He made the match memorable by scalping his 36th five-wicket haul.
Before that, the Chennai-born bagged his first fifer of the series in the fourth Test in Ranchi. In total, he scalped 26 wickets from these five matches.
With the bat, he had a forgettable outing as 37 runs was the highest he could score in the third Test. In total, he scored 116 runs in seven innings.
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