On the grand occasion of his 100th Test match, off-spinner R Ashwin tracked back the passage and recalled the moments of the start of his cricket journey with his father.
The Dharamsala Test against England, the fifth and last of the series, is R Ashwin’s 100th Test match. He became the 77th cricket overall, 14th from India, and first from Tamil Nadu to earn 100 Test match caps.
His wife, Prithi, and two daughters were present at the cap presentation ceremony, but, unfortunately, his father couldn’t be with him on this occasion because his mother is not well so Ashwin’s dad had to stay back in Chennai.
Speaking ahead of the Dharamsala Test, R Ashwin said that his father is even more emotional than him because it was his dream to play cricket, and now he is living it through his son.
“It’s quite an emotional moment. Not just for me. I would not be shaken by emotions a lot. But today is a hugely emotional moment for a man who is sitting back in Chennai. Unfortunately, he couldn’t make it here,” Ashwin was quoted as saying by NDTV.
“The first day (as a kid cricketer), I still remember it very clearly, I would put my kit in front of the petrol tank, and then he would put me on the bike and take me to the coaching camp. A government employee (his dad) wanted to take his son all the way miles ahead in life, somewhere he imagined I would ever get. He got me here because of the help of my mom and, of course, my granddad,” he added.
R Ashwin pays tribute to his wife, Prithi
Ashwin said Prithi took some time to adjust to his professional lifestyle, which meant they had to stay away from each other for long periods of time whenever the cricketer was on the road, which is a lot given he is a three-format and an IPL player.
The off-spinner said, “My wife didn’t know what she was getting into. She’s gotten into it and she’s standing next to me today. I have got two lovely kids who are also enjoying my journey over the last few years.”
On Day 1 in Dharamsala, R Ashwin took four wickets after Kuldeep Yadav had taken a five-for as England were bundled for only 218.
Also Read: Watch: Steve Smith Has A Huge Brainfade Moment In 2nd NZ vs AUS Test
