'Nightmare of a week' - how R Ashwin's family has been dealing with a Covid-19 crisis

As many as ten members of the family had tested positive for the virus

30-Apr-2021

Prithi Narayanan watched the Eden Gardens Test, Kolkata, November 15, 2011

Prithi Narayanan, R Ashwin's wife, has shared details of a "nightmare of a week" in which as many as ten members of the family tested positive for Covid-19. The update came less than a week after Ashwin left the IPL 2021, where he is a part of the Delhi Capitals, to be with his family, who he mentioned is "putting up a fight against Covid19".

"Feeling ok enough to croak a tiny hi," Prithi tweeted, saying that six adults and four children of the family had tested positive for the virus within a week, "with our kids being the vehicles of transmission", which led to the relatives being treated in "different homes/hospitals".

Feeling ok enough to croak a tiny hi to all of you.6 adults and 4 children ended up testing+ the same week,with our kids being the vehicles of transmission - the core of my family,all down with the virus in different homes/hospitals..Nightmare of a week.1 of 3 parents back home.
— Wear a mask. Take your vaccine. (@prithinarayanan) April 30, 2021

"I guess physical health will recover faster than mental health," she added. "Days 5-8 were the absolute worst for me. Everybody was there, offering help yet there's no one with you. Most isolating disease. Please do reach out and seek help.

"The headaches this virus causes need their own twitter thread."

While Australian cricketers Andrew Tye, Adam Zampa and Kane Richardson, English cricketer Liam Livingstone and Indian umpire Nitin Menon have left the IPL because of various concerns around the virus, Ashwin has been the only Indian cricketer to have done so.

It was after his team's Super Over win against the Sunrisers Hyderabad on April 25 in Chennai - Ashwin's hometown - that the spinner decided to leave the biosecure bubble, saying that he expected "to return to play 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. 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

Ravichandran Ashwin Delhi Capitals India Indian Premier League