R Ashwin’s wife Prithi Narayanan pens heartfelt tribute as cricketer retires

R Ashwin's wife, Prithi Narayanan, has shared an emotional and reflective note on her Instagram following the cricketer's retirement from international cricket after the Brisbane Test. In her heartfelt message, Prithi describes the past few days as "blurry" and speaks of the journey they have shared over the years.

In her post, Prithi begins by acknowledging the complexity of expressing her feelings, noting the difficulty of deciding whether to write a tribute to her husband as a cricketer, a partner, or even a fan. Ultimately, her message encapsulates all these aspects, blending admiration and love.

She recalls numerous moments throughout their 13-14 years together, from big victories to the quiet, intimate moments after matches. “The big wins, the man of the series awards, the quiet silence in our room after an intense game, the sound of the shower running for much longer than usual on some evenings post play,” Prithi writes. She also reflects on the challenges and heartbreaks they faced together, such as the times they wept in joy after key victories and the heartbreaks that came with setbacks.

Prithi shares how she grew fond of cricket through Ashwin’s career, beginning with not knowing how to pack a kit bag to becoming a passionate supporter who traveled the world to watch him play. She writes, “The world you introduced me to gave me the privilege to watch and enjoy a sport that I love from close quarters.”

She also reveals the intense discipline and commitment required in Ashwin’s career. “I remember us talking about why you, R Ashwin, had to do all of this and a lot more to even stay relevant in the scheme of things,” Prithi recalls. Despite the accolades, awards, and records, Ashwin’s continuous dedication to sharpening his skills was essential to maintaining his place at the top.