Ravichandran Ashwin‘s childhood coach, Sunil Subramaniam, mentioned that the cricketer’s family is deeply passionate about the game. He noted that it was not surprising to hear Ashwin’s mother, Chitra, urging him to return and play for India even while she was in the hospital.
The 37-year-old Ashwin, currently participating in his 100th Test against England in Dharamsala, achieved the milestone of 500 Test scalps during the third Test in Rajkot. However, he had to withdraw from the Test midway upon learning of his mother’s illness.
While Ravichandran Ashwin reached the milestone of 500 Test scalps, his mother remained in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of a Chennai hospital. Upon visiting his mother in the hospital, she questioned him, asking, ‘Why did you come?’
In an interview with PTI Videos, Subramaniam expressed that he found the touching story unsurprising.
“I have said this before the whole family is cricket crazy, and cricket is a huge priority there, and everybody is obsessed with the game. It’s only that kind of obsession that has carried him and I am not surprised to hear all that. Cricket is the number one priority even during the health crisis,” Ashwin’s childhood coach said.
Looking back on the experienced cricketer’s extensive journey, Subramaniam, a former left-arm spinner, affirmed his belief in Ashwin’s potential for success. Although he didn’t anticipate Ashwin playing 100 Tests, Subramaniam always had confidence that the Tamil Nadu cricketer would enjoy a prolonged career.
“I had a lot of confidence that he would become a good Test player and a quality Test bowler, first a match-winner for the state then a match-winner for India,” Subramaniam said.
“At that time, it was difficult to say that his journey would be this long. As he was on his journey, it became obvious he would have a long career. I’d be lying to say that we think that he is going to end up playing 100 Tests. But, I certainly knew that we had a Test cricketer in the making, and a good one at that,” he added
Ravichandran Ashwin marked his Test debut in November 2011 against the West Indies. During the home series, he emerged as the top wicket-taker, securing 22 dismissals in six innings with an average of 22.9.
“Definitely about three to four years for sure” – Subramaniam talks about how long Ashwin can carry on
Despite being 37, Ravichandran Ashwin displays no indications of slowing down. On the first day in Dharamsala, he dismantled England’s lower order, concluding with four wickets. As per his childhood coach, the experienced off-spinner has the capability to continue playing for another three to four years.
“As a player, definitely about three to four years for sure at the international level, and the call will be his after that.”
”He debuted at the age of 25, how long will he be able to play? Because many people in India play cricket, how much competition will he have. If you look at the bowling attack of India in the last five to 10 years, it has become really potent,” Subramaniam told PTI Videos in the interview.
“How long his journey will be? At every stage, he has evolved. And his bowling for the last nine years has been the fulcrum for India,” he added.
In addition to surpassing 500 Test wickets, Ravichandran Ashwin has accumulated 156 wickets in ODIs and 72 in T20Is.
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