Leg-spinner Murugan Ashwin played an instrumental role in Tamil Nadu's triumphant Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2021 campaign as he claimed 10 wickets from 8 games.
On Sunday (January 31), Tamil Nadu clinched their second title in the domestic T20 competition with a thumping seven-wicket win over Baroda at the Sardar Patel Stadium in Ahmedabad.
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After the victory in the final, Ashwin took to Instagram and posted a heartfelt letter for his mother, who passed away last month.
"One month back, my mother passed away due to Acute Myeloid Leukemia. Her AML was at a very critical stage and unfortunately we had to lose her.
"My mom was very passionate about cricket. It is because of her that I started playing this game. The dozens of cricket balls, tennis balls and rubber balls which she used to buy for me when I was a kid made me enjoy playing with it and I gradually developed a great interest in the sport. She had invested a great amount of time in helping me improve my game by taking me for practice early in the day, watching me play during weekends, helping me to get permission for my school to play matches, buying a proper cricket kit, getting up as early as 4 am to cook for all of us in the family and leave for office by 7 am only to return in the evening at 7 and then cook dinner and do the same thing all over again every single day and so on. She was my No.1 fan and critic and always wanted me to perform well.
"I had to leave for Syed mustaq ali trophy to represent tamilnadu immediately after her demise. But I still had my duties to perform for the following 13 days. I was confused and It was then my dad, wife and my sister who told me that I need to play the tournament and do well because that is what would make my mom really happy.
"This Syed mustaq ali trophy is for you mom. Everytime I stepped on the field , I took her with me in my heart and I wanted to perform well and help the team win. I am sure my mom will be proud and happy as we won the tournament and I turned out to be the highest wicket taker for Tamilnadu.
“Thank you Amma," he wrote.
Murugan Ashwin was one of the 16 players who got retained by Kings XI Punjab last month for the 2021 edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL). He took 10 wickets from 9 games for the Punjab-based franchise in last year’s IPL in UAE.
Ashwin will now be seen in action in the Vijay Hazare Cup (domestic 50-over tournament), the dates of which are yet to be announced.
