R Ashwin in action (Courtesy: BCCI.TV)

Ace India spinner Ravichandran Ashwin displayed his character after rejoining the Team India squad on Day 4. He had reached 500 wickets on Day 2 of the Rajkot Test but had to fly back home due to a medical emergency, concerning his mother. He, however, rejoined the squad on Day 4 and picked up his 501 wickets. It was a topsy-turvy for Ashwin in between the 500th and 501st wicket which was described by his wife Prithi.

“We chased the 500 to Hyderabad, it didn”t happen. To Vizag, it didn”t happen. So I just bought a ton of sweets and gave it to everyone at home at 499. 500 came and went quietly. Till it didn”t. A lot happened between 500 and 501. Longest 48 hours of our lives,” Ashwin”s wife Prithi wrote in a post on Instagram.

“But this is about the 500. And the 499 before that. What a phenomenal achievement. What a phenomenal guy. I am insanely proud of you Ravi Ashwin. We love you!” she added.

The BCCI Vice President Rajiv Shukla had revealed that Ashwin’s withdrawal from the Team India squad due to a medical emergency pertains to his mother. He also added that Ashwin flew to Chennai from Rajkot on Friday night. “Wishing speedy recovery of mother of @ashwinravi99. He has to rush and leave the Rajkot Test to Chennai to be with his mother. @BCCI,” Shukla posted on X.

As far as the Rajkot Test is concerned, Friday was a special day for Ashwin as he became the only second Indian bowler in Test cricket to complete 500 wickets.

For the unversed, Ashwin’s mother, Chitra, has been a key figure behind his rise in cricket. She was his first coach and also reportedly advised him to look beyond fast bowling and concentrate on spin bowling instead. He was also put into Indian Classical Music as his mother was into it but he chose to excel in cricket.