Ashwin all thrilled to play his 100th Test

Veteran Indian off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has revealed the aftermath when he had to fly back home due to a medical emergency in the family during the third Test at Rajkot. Ashwin had to withdraw from the second Test after day two’s play because of a family medical emergency and missed day three’s play entirely, with the statement of his overnight withdrawal from the match. Ashwin had picked his 500th Test wicket in the form of England opener Zak Crawley on day two of the third Test in Rajkot becoming the second fastest to the milestone. However, Ashwin rejoined the squad on day 4 of the third Test after being unavailable for the third day. Ashwin in an interview with ESPNcricinfo ‘The Cricket Monthly’ shed light on the day’s event and termed it as the most nervous moment of his career. “The entire family is built on cricket and to facilitate my career. It hasn’t been easy. It has been very hard on them. It’s been a big roller-coaster for them – going through the emotions and ups and downs that I myself do. I am sure most parents and families are like that, but my parents’ lives are even more intertwined with my cricket.” “I mean, I’m in the second half of my thirties and my dad still watches a game like he would watch my first international game. It means a lot to them. Compared to what it means to them, it definitely means less to me,” he added. It makes sense that Ashwin mentioned his parents, wife, and mother in particular when discussing his incredible accomplishment of passing his 100th Test. The seasoned spinner acknowledged and gave gratitude for the sacrifices his family has made along the way. “Anything and everything around what I have to do, or what my cricket is like, it’s very seamlessly attached to them. They have eliminated anything that comes in the way of my cricket. That has been the sole purpose of their lives ever since I can remember,” he added.