Cricketer Ravichandran Ashwin has walked out of the IPL midway through the competition to be with his family members, who he said were currently fighting the latest wave of the pandemic. The Delhi Capitals player made the announcement soon after his side pulled off a thrilling win against Sunrisers Hyderabad.
Ashwin wrote, “I would be taking a break from this years IPL from tomorrow. My family and extended family are putting up a fight against #COVID19 and I want to support them during these tough times. I expect to return to play if things go in the right direction. Thank you @DelhiCapitals.”
I would be taking a break from this years IPL from tomorrow. My family and extended family are putting up a fight against #COVID19 and I want to support them during these tough times. I expect to return to play if things go in the right direction. Thank you @DelhiCapitals ????????
— Stay home stay safe! Take your vaccine???????? (@ashwinravi99) April 25, 2021
Many including some former cricketers prayed for the improvement in Ashwin’s family’s situation. Former India cricketer Irfan Pathan tweeted, “Go well Ash. Hope your family and the whole situation in the country gets better soon.” Umpire Aleem Dar wrote, “massive decision. @ashwinravi99 take Care.” Commentator Harsha Bhogle wrote, “Wish you well. Thoughts with you.”
The latest wave of the COVID-19 pandemic has wreaked havoc across India with scores dying every day for the want of oxygen supply and access to hospital beds with COVID-19 facilities. Maharashtra and Delhi have been the two worst-affected parts.
One of India’s richest businessmen, Gautam Adani, on Sunday said that Saudi Arabia was sending 80 MT liquid oxygen along with high-capacity cryogenic tankers and thousands of medical cylinders to India. US President Joe Biden too announced that his administration would help India in ‘its time of need.’ He tweeted, “Just as India sent assistance to the United States as our hospitals were strained early in the pandemic, we are determined to help India in its time of need.”
