Ace spinner Ravichandran Ashwin said that despite his India's emphatic victory in the first Test, he faced complaints from his wife Prithi Narayanan and two daughters. In a heartwarming interview shared by the BCCI, Prithi, who was present at Chepauk with the children, interviewed Ashwin after his match-winning performance against Bangladesh. Ashwin lightheartedly mentioned that his family had questioned why he didn't visit them on Day 1 of the Test and wave at them. Prithi also expressed curiosity about Ashwin's connection to Chepauk and reflected on his outstanding all-round performance at his home ground.
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R Ashwin's wife Prithi Narayanan interviews husband after Chennai Test heroics
Prithi Narayanan, Ashwin's wife, asked him what gift he would give to their daughters on Daughter's Day. In a touching gesture, Ashwin revealed that he would present them with the match ball he used to claim his five-wicket haul against Bangladesh. The 38-year-old was named Player of the Match for his outstanding performance, which included a six-wicket haul and his sixth Test century at his home ground in Chennai.
"Kids want to know what would you give them on Daughter's day?" Prithi asked in the interview posted by the BCCI on X.
"I would give them the ball I picked up a fifer with," Ashwin said in reply.
Ashwin expressed surprise at his fifth Test century, attributing it to the special atmosphere of the ground that motivated him throughout the innings.
"I don't know how to react because the first day was something that happened really quickly. I didn't expect to walk in to bat here and get a hundred. I hadn't batted in a while. It feels great. Every time I come here it feels special. I don't know there is some energy in his ground that keeps me going," Ashwin said.
"Do you think this energy added anything to your energy," Prithi quizzed Ashwin.
"She kept complaining that I didn't see her on the first day. I didn't. For me, It's very difficult for me to look out for the family when I am playing. In the middle of the game, but I do make a conscious effort because the children are always asking me, 'Why didn't you say hi'," Ashwin said jokily.
“I would like to defend myself here. I don't always say hi. When you sit in the seat for 9 to 5 and all I see is Raj waving back at me like I have made up the two days. But congratulations. A second hundred and a fifer at Chennai. The kids are here they really had a good time. A perfect Sunday morning, it has been a decent weather," Prithi further said.
"Thankyou for being there and bringing me good luck," Ashwin signed off.
Talking about Ashwin's heroics in Chennai Test, he delivered with both bat and ball was instrumental in India's dominant 280-run victory over Bangladesh in the first Test at the MA Chidambaram Stadium. In the first innings, India found themselves in a precarious position at 144/6 after being asked to bat first. However, Ravichandran Ashwin's century on the same day, coupled with a brilliant 199-run partnership with Ravindra Jadeja for the seventh wicket, helped India recover and finish on 376 runs. Bangladesh struggled in response, managing only 149 runs in the first innings. In the second innings, India's Shubman Gill and Rishabh Pant scored centuries, guiding India to a declaration at 287/4. Although Ashwin did not take any wickets in the first innings, he made amends in the second, claiming six wickets and dismissing the Bangladesh batting lineup for 234 runs. His all-round performance earned him the well-deserved title of Player of the Match.
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