In an emotional video, Ashwin recalled the events that led to his departure and return for the third Test match against England, where his mother was ill.
Ravichandran Ashwin has praised Indian cricket captain Rohit Sharma as a man with a “heart of gold”. During the third Test match against England last month, Ashwin praised his mother for her help and leadership when she fell ill and was absent on the second day.
Three days after helping his team to a 4-1 series win over Ben Stokes' England, the off-spinner spoke about the personal adversity that led him to leave the team midway through the match and return on the fourth day. Told. And the mental burden it placed on him as a top-level athlete.
“Rohit is a special person, an outstanding leader with a heart of gold,” Ashwin said in an emotional video posted on his YouTube channel.
“I would give my life for him on the field. That's the kind of captain he is.”
The 37-year-old recalled the events of February 16, the day he took his 500th wicket in Test cricket and the day his mother collapsed unconscious at her home in Chennai, India.
“After the match, when Rohit, myself and the other players were discussing it, I realized that my parents and wife had not called me to congratulate me.” [on reaching the 500 wicket milestone]'' Ashwin recalled in a video titled “Roller coaster of emotions''.
“When I called my wife at 7 p.m., her voice was shaking. She told me to stay away from the crowd and said my mother had collapsed after a headache.”
Ashwin said that as soon as he heard the news, he “blacked out” and couldn't think clearly.
“I was crying, but I didn't want anyone to see me crying. I was just sitting in my room by myself and I didn't know what to do.”
With England 207-2 at the end of the match and the series tied at 1-1, the 100-Test veteran found himself in a conundrum.
“I thought that if I left, we would be left with 10 players and we would be playing a full-strength team with an unbalanced game. At the same time, all I could think about was my mother. I couldn't think of anything. I wanted to go see her and leave early. [to Rajkot]”
It was then that Rohit and India head coach Rahul Dravid intervened and took the decision to send Ashwin home.
“Rohit told me to stop thinking, leave home and be with my family. He was trying to arrange a charter flight for me.”
Ashwin was able to board the plane, but the captain ensured that the mentally challenged player did not travel alone and had the team's physiotherapist accompany him.
“I was stunned when Kamlesh got a call from Rohit asking how I was at 9.30pm. I think Rohit has a good leader.
“Since that day, my respect for him has grown tremendously.”
Ashwin was able to meet his recovering mother and insisted that her son join the team.
The bowlers returned to Rajkot on the fourth morning as England chased a 557-run target to win the Test. The visitors were bowled out for 122, with Ashwin taking his 501st Test wicket.
Ashwin finished the series as the 26th wicket-taker and emerged top of the International Cricket Council (ICC) men's Test bowling rankings this week.
Ravichandran Ashwin has become the No. 1 bowler in the ICC Men's Test Player Rankings for the sixth time in his career 👏
➡️ https://t.co/hLGP7qOqE3 pic.twitter.com/oYLyWzC4ut
— ICC (@ICC) March 13, 2024
