How Ravichandran Ashwin played on for India without knowing whereabouts of his family

Ravichandran Ashwin has scored six runs so far in India’s first innings

Ravichandran Ashwin showed national duty comes first by going on the field to bat despite not having any information about his parents, who have been stuck in the Chennai rains for the last 24 hours. His wife Prithi had tweeted some time back, expressing worries about her in-laws.

The cricketer’s wife tweeted, “Thoughts with Ashwin, who is batting right now. We have not heard from his parents in over 24hours. I can only pray he keeps his strength.” She also asked if it was possible for rescue teams from West Mambalam to check Ramakrishnapuram First Street.

After about an hour, after stumps had been called on Day 1, Prithi tweeted that they are safe and thanked the facility of Whatsapp calls. She wrote, “Heard from them. They are fine and safe. Good God. Thank you. I want to hug the person who came up with Whatsapp calls.”

Thoughts with Ashwin, who is batting right now. We have not heard from his parents in over 24hours. I can only pray he keeps his strength.

— Prithi Ashwin (@prithinarayanan) December 3, 2015

Heard from them. They are fine and safe. Good God. Thank you. I want to hug the person who came up with Whatsapp calls.

— Prithi Ashwin (@prithinarayanan) December 3, 2015

India cricketers affected by Chennai disaster

In this match the 29-year-old Ashwin has so far scored six runs from 29 balls in India’s first innings. Currently the number two bowler in the world rankings, the Indian spinner has bagged 24 wickets so far in the ongoing Freedom Trophy series.

Another cricketer from Chennai, Murali Vijay is also playing this match. In the first innings he scored 12 runs from 59 deliveries. At the end of day one, India have put 231 runs on the scoreboard for the loss of seven wickets.

Chennai has been heavily affected by rains for the past few days. According to sources, the amount of rain Chennai has seen in 24 hours is what the city generally experiences in one month. The Met department has said the rains will continue for another seven days and that the next two days are very crucial. While numerous trains have been cancelled, Chennai airport will stay shut till December 6.

Terming the condition in Chennai as alarming, Home Minister Rajnath Singh has said, “It would not be an exaggeration to say that Chennai has become an island as it has been cut off from all national and state highways.”

Around 4,000 people have been rescued by army and the National Disaster Response Force. However, a large number of people are still stranded. Most of the places have no electricity and network connectivity. Relief materials are being distributed by government as well as common people from other states like Bengaluru.

Talking about the inefficiency of drains, Commissioner of Chennai Corporation, Vikram Kapoor said, “None of the drains can work with such heavy rain. If this kind of rain happens again, we are in for a tough time.”