Senior India spinner Ravichandran Ashwin had a frantic last 48 hours. After picking his 500th wicket in Test cricket, Ashwin was forced to withdraw midway from the Rajkot Test match to attend a family emergency.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India issued a release, hours after the conclusion of Day 2 of the Test match that Ashwin had to go out of the Test match.

“Ravichandran Ashwin has withdrawn from the Test squad, effective immediately due to a family medical emergency. In these challenging times, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and the team fully supports Ashwin,” the BCCI press release said.

The spinner however rejoined the Indian team on Day 4, after attending his family in Chennai. Ashwin picked on wicket in his six over spell after giving away just 19 runs.

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Ashwin’s wife Prithi took to Instagram and penned an emotional note for the cricketer.

“We chased the 500 to Hyderabad, it didn’t happen. To Vizag, it didn’t happen. So I just bought a ton of sweets and gave it to everyone at home at 499. 500 came and went quietly. Till it didn’t. A lot happened between 500 and 501. Longest 48 hours of our lives,” Ashwin’s wife wrote on Instagram.

“But this is about the 500. And the 499 before that. What a phenomenal achievement. What a phenomenal guy. I am insanely proud of you Ravi Ashwin. We love you!” she further added.

India captain Rohit Sharma also stood by Ashwin’s decision to leave on Day 2. Speaking at the post match press conference, Rohit said that Ashwin made the right call by leaving, as family comes first.

“When you lose your most experienced bowler in the middle of a Test match, it’s not easy. But everything aside, family comes first. And when we heard the news, there were no second thoughts in our minds that he should do what he felt was right,” Rohit said in the post-match press conference.

“He wanted to be with the family, which was absolutely the right thing to do. It was good for him and to make a way and be a part of the team shows the character and the kind of person he is. We were happy to have him back,” he added.

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