R Ashwin of Delhi Capitals announced that he will be taking a break from the Indian Premier League 2021 for time being as ‘his family and extending family is battling COVID-19’. Ashwin tweeted that he will return only if the situation ameliorates.
If Ashwin decides to join the DC contingent, he will be required to serve the mandatory quarantine period before entering the biobubble.
‘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,’ Ashwin wrote.
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
Ashwin announced the decision a few moments after DC’s Super-Over win against against Sunrisers Hyderabad. He was a part of the playing XI and bowled four overs in the game. It was also the comeback game for Axar Patel, who had earlier tested positive for the virus.
Although Ashwin will be sorely missed, the franchise has got a plethora of options as a replacement.
SRH vs DC was the first game of IPL 2021 that went down to Super Over. Axar Patel did well to restrict SRH to seven runs. Rishabh Pant’s four off Rashid Khan took them close before a single on the last ball sealed the match for DC. This was their fourth victory of IPL 2021.