IPL 2021: Stay Safe, Look After Your Family - Ricky Ponting Wishes Ravichandran Ashwin; Hopes For Off-Spinner To Return Soon

Updated - 26 Apr 2021, 06:14 PM

Ricky Ponting. Image-Twitter

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Ricky Ponting, the Delhi Capitals (DC) head coach, hopes to see Ravichandran Ashwin back soon in the squad after the off-spinner took an immediate break from the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) in order to support his family who is “putting up a fight against COVID19.”

He announced this decision late night on Twitter after his side’s super-over victory over Sunrisers Hyderabad in Chennai, which is his hometown. Ashwin also stated that he may return back to play in the IPL if “things go in the right direction” regarding the situation in the country – if he does decide to return, he would then have to serve a 7-day quarantine according to the BCCI protocol.

“I would be taking a break from this year’s IPL from tomorrow. My family and extended family are putting up a fight against #COVID19 and I want to support them during these tough times. I expect to return to play if things go in the right direction. Thank you @DelhiCapitals,” Ravichandran Ashwin tweeted.

Ricky Ponting commented on Ashwin’s post, “Stay safe, look after your family and hopefully we will see you soon.”

Stay safe, look after your family and hopefully we will see you soon

— Ricky Ponting AO (@RickyPonting) April 26, 2021

The 34-year-old spinner didn’t have a remarkable season so far – he picked just a solitary wicket in 5 matches but was economical most of the time as indicated by his economy of 7.74.

While the Capitals are bolstered by the return of Axar Patel, who was tested positive ahead of the season and remained away from the team for almost three weeks, they will miss the services of the experienced Ashwin.

I think cricket can still bring a lot of joy to people: Ricky Ponting

Other than R Ashwin, Liam Livingstone, Andrew Tye, Adam Zampa, and Kane Richardson have also pulled out of the IPL 2021.

Ricky Ponting believes that the IPL can provide some joy to the fans in these difficult times. The former Australia skipper reckons the players and the organizers are giving their best to entertain the fans and even for a few hours escape them from the crisis caused by the covid.

“Even with the country being in a situation that it is, I think cricket can still bring a lot of joy to people. So it is important for us to be doing what we can as cricketers and as coaches and as a franchise to putting on the best show as possible to give the people something that they’d like to see,” Ricky Ponting said in a video posted on Delhi Capitals’ Twitter handle.

“This IPL, probably more than any other, has become more about what’s happening outside than what’s happening here. We right now are probably the safest people in the country being in the bubbles that we are in. Continually I’m asking the boys at breakfast every day how’s everything going on the outside, how’s family, (is) family safe, (is) family happy.

“That’s a really important thing. It is really important, we are thinking about the extended family, not just us, but we’ve got to be talking about what’s happening outside because it is quite grim,” the World Cup winner stated.

Speaking of the Delhi Capitals, Rishabh Pant’s side has climbed up to the second spot after their victory in the super over against Sunrisers Hyderabad in Chennai. They fly to Ahmedabad to take on the Royal Challengers Bangalore on Tuesday.

Also Read: IPL 2021: David Hussey Reveals Few Australian Players Are Bit Nervous About Whether They Can Get Back Into Australia

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IPL 2021 Ravichandran Ashwin Ricky Ponting