The five-Test series against England saw Ravichandran Ashwin achieve two major milestones. The first came in Rajkot when he became the second Indian bowler to take 500 Test wickets. But Ashwin had little time to celebrate as he had to rush back home to be with his ailing mother in Chennai.
Ashwin thanked skipper Rohit Sharma, head coach Rahul Dravid, and local boy Cheteshwar Pujara for helping him get back home via a chartered flight.
Ashwin breaks down in his room after talking to wife
“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. I thought 'Maybe they are giving some interviews and responding to congratulatory messages'," Ashwin said in his YouTube show on March 12.
"But around 7 pm, I called my wife before going to shower. My parents did not pick up the calls. 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.
"I kind of blanked out. I did not know how to react. I didn't know how to ask her a question. I was crying, but I was trying to make sure no one saw me crying. I don't know why I felt like that but it was instinctive. I felt blank. I sat in my room alone. I was crying.
"After a few minutes, I think I was not reachable on the phone. So my wife told the team physio to check on me.
"After that, I think she must have told Rohit Sharma and Rahul Dravid. I didn't know what to tell them. I wasn't able to strike a balance. I was thinking that they picked me in the XI and if I go home midway, then there will only be 10 members. The series was 1-1, England were slightly on the upper-hand. I was thinking if I go home, India will be one bowler short.
"At the same time, I thought when was the last time I spoke to my mother. I had that thought in my mind and I made up my mind that I should go and meet her. I asked people back home whether she was conscious at that time. They said that the doctors didn't allow them to meet her.
"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, Dravid come to Ashwin’s rescue
While Ashwin was worried about leaving the team with one bowler short, Rohit and Dravid helped him calm down. The veteran all-rounder revealed that he sent physio Kamlesh with him to Chennai.
"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.
"A big thank you to Cheteshwar Pujara. He spoke to a lot of people and arranged for the charter flight. I didn't know how I spent 2 hours in that flight back home.
"Our team physio Kamlesh is my good friend. What Rohit did was beautiful. Rohit asked Kamlesh to join me on my flight to Chennai. I told Rohit that Kamlesh is one of the two physios with the team and how he could send him with me when the team was playing a crucial Test.
"Rohit is like 'That's okay'. But I told Kamlesh to stay back with the team. However, when I went down to the lobby, Kamlesh and a security person were standing there.
"Rohit was calling Kamlesh and keeping a tab on me throughout the journey back home.
"I was gobsmacked. I couldn't even imagine the gesture from Rohit. If I were captain, I would ask anyone in that position to go home. 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 Rohti achieves something even more big. I will pray to God for that."
Ashwin met his mother and came back to Rajkot for Day 3’s play. However, the Indian team had it under control. The off-spinner took one wicket as India registered a big win over Ben Stokes-led side.
Later, he made his 100th Test appearance in Dharamsala where he picked up a five-wicket haul in the second innings. India won the Test series 4-1 after losing the opening Test in Hyderabad by 29 runs.
Ashwin will now gear up for Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 where he will be representing Rajasthan Royals (RR). The Sanju Samson-led side will take on Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) in their opening game on March 24.
MORE ON SPORTS TAK:
BCCI releases fitness update on 3 Indian cricketers, Rishabh Pant declared fit for IPL 2024 but 2 star cricketers ruled out
IPL 2024: When will Virat Kohli join Royal Challengers Bangalore camp? Likely date revealed; check here
