Ravichandran Ashwin withdraws from IPL 2021 to support family during COVID-19 crisis

Chennai: Senior Indian off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has decided to take a break from the ongoing IPL, saying that his family is currently "putting up a fight against COVID-19" and he wants to support them.

The 34-year-old is competing for the Delhi Capitals this season and hopes to return to the side "if things go in the right direction".

"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," Ashwin posted on his Twitter page after DC's game against Sunrisers Hyderabad on Sunday night.

"I expect to return to play if things go in the right direction. Thank you @DelhiCapitals," added the Chennai-based player.

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

His franchise promised full support to him in a Twitter post of its own.

"Extending our full support to you in these difficult times, @ashwinravi99. Sending you and your family all the strength and prayers from all of us at Delhi Capitals," DC said.

🚨 UPDATE 🚨

Ravichandran Ashwin has decided to take a break from #IPL2021 to support his family in the fight against #COVID19, with the option to return should things get better.

We at Delhi Capitals extend him our full support 💙#YehHaiNayiDilli pic.twitter.com/A9BFoPkz7b

— Delhi Capitals (@DelhiCapitals) April 25, 2021

In an earlier tweet, Ashwin had expressed concern about the pandemic ravaging the country right now.

"Heart breaking to see what's happening around my country! I am not in the healthcare fraternity, but my sincere gratitude to each of them. I would also like to make an earnest appeal to every Indian to exercise caution and stay safe," he had said.

I know there will be people who will retort with a tweet about my position of privilege. I would like to reiterate that this is a virus that spares no one and I am in this fight with all of you. Let me know if I can help and i promise to help anyone that is within my capacity🙏🙏

— Stay home stay safe! Take your vaccine🇮🇳 (@ashwinravi99) April 23, 2021

India is recording over 3 lakh daily cases for the past few days and the health infrastructure is struggling to handle the rise with shortage of oxygen and some crucial medicines adding to the crisis.