Arguably the greatest spinner of the modern times, Ravichandran Ashwin in a heart touching gesture ensured that one of his biggest fans P Venkatesh was able to watch the opening ODI between India and Australia at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai yesterday. Despite not being part of the squad for the ongoing series, Ashwin made sure that his ailing fan got the opportunity to witness the match live from the hospitality box at the Chepauk. His fan is suffering from a kidney ailment.
“I have only viewed from the galleries. Thanks to the efforts taken by Ashwin’s management team, I am watching the game from the hospitality box. For someone like me it’s a once-in-a-lifetime event. I will never ever forget the courtesy extended by Ashwin,” the 42-year-old Venkatesh was quoted as saying by the Times of India.
Ashwin in his statement said:
“We are definitely not doing this for publicity. It is the part of our endeavour at The Ashwin Foundation to put a smile on faces. Every request or friendly demand cannot be met with a positive response but we do the best we can. Venkat is a genuine cricket lover and this is the least we could do for him.”
Venkatesh who is a resident of Chenna is a big fan of Ravichandran Ashwin and was hoping to see him in action during the opening ODI but conceded that India winning the match made up for the disappointment which he had with Ashwin not part of the squad. The die-hard fan will be undergoing a transplant surgery in November this year with his sister ready to donate one of her kidneys to him.
Meanwhile, it must be noted that Ashwin is currently in the United Kingdom playing county matches for Worcestershire. He made an impressive debut and followed it up with handy performances. With a full tour of England lined up for next season, Ashwin’s stint with Worcestershire might prove to be crucial in helping Ashwin prepare himself with the conditions for the tour of England and the 2019 World Cup.