WATCH | R. Ashwin Reveals Heartwarming Support from Rohit Sharma During Family Emergency

March 12, 2024 0 406

Ravichandran Ashwin recounted how captain Rohit Sharma, head coach Rahul Dravid, Cheteshwar Pujara, and BCCI secretary Jay Shah supported him through a family medical emergency during the Rajkot Test.

During the Rajkot Test against England, R Ashwin shared his emotional turmoil upon learning of his mother’s illness shortly after achieving the milestone of 500 Test wickets. Overwhelmed with emotions, Ashwin couldn’t control his tears upon hearing the news from his wife.

Supported by teammates, especially captain Rohit Sharma and BCCI secretary Jay Shah, Ashwin left the match to be with his ailing mother in Chennai. Travel arrangements were made by Cheteshwar Pujara and Jay Shah, with Ashwin flying to Chennai on a chartered plane and returning to Rajkot likewise.

Ashwin recounted feeling helpless in his hotel room in Rajkot before captain Rohit Sharma and coach Rahul Dravid reached out to him. Initially torn about leaving midway through the Test, Rohit convinced him to go home to Chennai to be with his ailing mother, even arranging for a team physio to accompany him. Despite the emotional turmoil, Ashwin rejoined the team on Day 4, eventually taking a wicket in the match.

Captain Rohit Sharma. 👏⭐

– Ravi Ashwin talking about how Rohit took care of him. pic.twitter.com/Qew4buZN7Y
— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) March 12, 2024

“After getting my 500th wicket, I was waiting for a call or a message from my parents and my wife. It was 7 pm and I found it strange that they hadn’t called me. But around 7 pm, I called my wife before going to shower. And I found my wife’s voice was breaking. She asked me to move away from my teammates and then she told me that my mother collapsed after a severe headache,” Ashwin recounted.

I kind of blanked out. I did not know how to react. I was looking for flights, but there was no flight in the evening from Rajkot to Chennai. I was not sure of what to do. Rohit and Rahul bhai came to my room. Rohit saw me thinking and he said ‘what are you thinking about? Just pack your bags and leave now. He told me that he would try and arrange a charter flight for me,” he added.

What Rohit did was beautiful. There’s no second thought in that. But, to keep a constant tab on me, calling Kamlesh and asking him to accompany me. Unbelievable! I see an outstanding leader in Rohit Sharma. He is something special. For 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,” Ashwin concluded.

Ashwin admitted that the Rajkot Test incident affected his performance in the subsequent matches, despite his pivotal role in India’s 4-1 series win. With 26 wickets, he emerged as the leading wicket-taker. Coach Rahul Dravid lauded Ashwin’s bravery for rejoining the team, highlighting it as a testament to their resilience.