"Why did you come?"- Ravichandran Ashwin's mother's first words to him after he left India squad midway through Rajkot Test

India off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin revealed his mother’s first words after he left the India squad mid-way during the Rajkot Test to look after her health. The veteran spinner stated that his mother asked him to as to why he came to see her, leaving the team.

Ravichandran Ashwin has been one of the key performers for India in the ongoing Test series against England. He has chipped in at the crucial junctures for his team with the ball and is amongst the reasons why India are leading the series by the margin of 3-1.

Ravichandran Ashwin during the third match of the series in Rajkot scripted the history. The off-spinner claimed 500 wickets in the Test cricket in the first innings. But the happiness turned into agony for him as he had to leave the Indian squad midway to see her mother, who was admitted to hospital.

However, as things improved, Ravichandran Ashwin returned to the team on Day 3 and played a vital role. The off-spinner’s wife then shared about the difficult times, saying that they were the ‘longest 48 hours’. The Veteran player was also applauded by a lot of fans for his commitment.

The off-spinner has now opened up about the tough phase himself. He stated that when he landed in the hospital her mom told her to go back and join the team. Speaking to ESPNCricinfo, he explained:

“I knew what my mom would say. I knew what my wife would say. I knew what my dad would say. When I landed and got to the hospital, my mom was slipping in and out of consciousness, and the first thing she asked me was, “Why did you come?” The next time she was conscious, she said, “I think you should go back because the Test match is happening.”

Ravichandran Ashwin also talked about how his family supported him in his journey. He revealed that his parents are intertwined with his cricket and his father still watches his matches as it’s the first game. He added:

“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.”

They have eliminated anything that comes in the way of my cricket – Ravichandran Ashwin on his family

Ravichandran Ashwin further said that his parents eliminated everything that came his way in cricket. He pointed out how his entire family is into cricket while highlighting the sacrifices of his grandparents. He added:

“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. It is very difficult to find a family like me, my dad and my mom. I’ve forgotten to add two other members: my grandfather and my aunt. We used to live in a joint family.

“For about eight years, my granddad used to bring my cricket kit, my cricket clothes, milk and all and just stand outside the ground or spread a newspaper and sit on the ground, and make sure that everything was going right, because both my parents were working. If I came back home, my aunt would be the caretaker. She would provide what I needed.”

Ravichandran Ashwin will be playing his 100th Test match for India in Dharamsala. The off-spinner would be keen to make an impact and help his team win the game and end the series with a margin of 4-1.