R Ashwin will play his 100th Test match for India when they take on England in the fifth and final match of the series in Dharamshala from March 7 onwards.
However, as he prepares to play his milestone match, Ashwin had to go through a difficult time during the Test series as well. During the third Test of the series in Rajkot, Ashwin had picked his 500th Test wicket. He also equaled Anil Kumble for the most five-wicket-hauls by an Indian in Tests.
However, he had to leave that Test match after day two as his mother was in serious condition and hospitalized. He rushed from Ranchi to Chennai at night to be with his mother and stayed with her for a day.
Fortunately, things improved and Ashwin returned to the team on Day 3. After Ashwin's wife Prithi described it as the 'longest 48 hours' Ashwin himself has shed light on what transpired when he landed in the hospital.
"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," Ashwin told ESPNCricinfo in their coverage special 'The Cricket Monthly'.
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"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,” Ashwin added.
Ashwin had a special mention for his mother, wife, and father as he addressed the gigantic achievement that is his 100th Test. He acknowledged the sacrifices his family has made through this journey.
His father still watches every match Ashwin plays, but his kids don't get to have their father around on some of the special days.
"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," he added.
"It is very difficult to find a family like me, my dad and 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,” Ashwin signed off.
(ESPNCricinfo inputs)
