R Ashwin's wife Prithi Narayanan penned down a beautiful note of appreciation for India's most experienced off-spinner as he touched the mark of 500 test wickets. The family couldn't celebrate the way they would have as Ashwin had to fly back home due to a family emergency.
Ashwin's 500th Test wicket came on day 2 of the third Test match in Rajkot. Only after Ashwin addressed the press conference that BCCI announce that he would be leaving the team for personal reasons.
Priti wrote on Instagram how those 48 hours were the longest days for the family despite such a joyous occasion. “We chased 500 to Hyderabad, but it didn’t happen. To Vizag, it didn’t happen. So I just thought of many sweets and gave them to everyone at home at 499. Five hundred came and went quietly,” Prithi wrote on Instagram.
“A lot happened between 500 and 501, the Longest 48 hours of our lives. But this is about the 500. And the 499 before that. What a phenomenal achievement. What an outstanding guy. I am extremely proud of you, R Ashwin. We love you", she wrote.
While talking to the media skipper Rohit Sharma also complimented Ashwin for showing character as he returned the very next day from Chennai. “When you lose your most experienced bowler in the middle of a Test match, it’s not easy. But everything aside, family comes first. And when we heard the news, there were no second thoughts in our minds that he should do what he felt was right,” Rohit said in the post-match press conference.
“He wanted to be with the family, which was the right thing to do. It was good for him to make a way and be a part of the team showing the character and the kind of person he is. We were happy to have him back,” he said.
