Asianet NewsableAsianet Newsable

Will cyclone-hit Chennai's pride Ashwin pull fans to Chepauk?

  • The fifth Test between India and England will be played in Chennai.
  • The match is due to start tomorrow.
  • Ashwin, Chennai's hero, is 3 wickets away from history.
Ashwin cyclone hit Chennais pride hell pull fans to Chepauk

When Ashwin, will take the field at the Chepauk ground on Friday, nostalgia will run through him, bringing back many memories of his journey from being a young spectator to eventually playing for India in the whites in front of his home crowd in 2013.

 

"Since the first Test I watched in Chennai's stadium in 1992, I have never missed watching a single Test in Chepauk and was and even played one. So playing in Chennai in the fifth Test is a special feeling for me," the 30-year-old Ashwin, who is the leading wicket-taker of the ongoing Test series against England, said.

 

Scroll down for video

 

The World No. 1 Test bowler rocked during his maiden appearance at Chepauk as Indian Test cricketer where he picked up seven and five wickets in the two innings respectively.

 

Ashwin cyclone hit Chennais pride hell pull fans to Chepauk

 

Although three years have passed now, that spell is surely still clear in the minds of his home crowd.

 

"I'm enjoying my game now being in a way better space. When I come out to bat or bowl for the first time in the fifth Test, the way the crowd will erupt is what I'm looking forward to," Ashwin, who is the leading wicket-taker of 2016, having bagged 71 wickets already, said.

 

Ashwin, who has 247 wickets in 43 Tests, is on the verge of history. If he takes three more wickets in the next game, which looks most likely seeing his current incredible form, Ashwin will be the fastest Test bowler to touch the 25-mark.

 

He will script history in front of his home crowd is just the icing on the cake!

 

Although Ashwin cannot wait to play the Chennai Test, he is well aware of the current situation of the city. Cyclone Vardah had struck Chennai earlier this week, leaving the Chennai with heavy rain falls.

 

However, Ashwin is confident that Chennai will recover before the Test. "Chennai is one city that can bounce back. I know the fans will come. The fighting spirit of Chennai has always inspired me," the cricketer, who has been born and brought up in Chennai, firmly said.

 

 

 

 

Moreover, Ashwin has known MA Chidambaram's pitch curator for years now, which is why the former is certain the ground will be fully ready for the Test.

 

"Mr Pacha has played an integral part in my growth, and he has been Chennai's curator for years now. And today, he will lay the wicket for me, which makes playing the game even more special," the home favourite said.

 

Ashwin is Chennai's pride. The fans will fight out the difficult aftermath of the cyclone, come in numbers, just to chant Ashwin's name team India, when Team India will take the field on Friday against England in their final Test of this year.

Follow Us:
Download App:
  • android
  • ios