Delhi Capitals spinner R Ashwin takes a break from IPL 2021 to support family in fight against Covid-19

India and Delhi Capitals off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin on Monday said he is going to take a break from Indian Premier League (IPL) 2021, adding that he wants to support his “family and extended family” who are putting a fight against Covid-19.

Ashwin took to social media to announce his decision and added that he would return to play for Delhi Capitals “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,” Ashwin said in a social media post.

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

Notably, Ashwin featured in Delhi Capitals’ Super Over win over Sunrisers Hyderabad in Match 20 of IPL 2021 which was played at his home ground, the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai on Sunday. Ashwin featured in all 5 matches for Delhi Captials in IPL 2021, picking up a wicket and conceding at a little over 7 runs per over.

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IPL 2021 has been held in strict bio-bubble environments across major cities in India, which has been battling a second wave of Covid-19. Notably, India registered a daily rise of 349,691 new infections and 2,767 deaths on Sunday.

The fresh number of Covid-19 cases in India has taken the Covid-19 caseload in the country to 1,69,60,172. As many as 2,17,113 patients were discharged in the past 24 hours, as per the health ministry, leaving the active cases at 26,82,751.

Ashwin’s decision to take a break from IPL 2021 comes days after MS Dhoni’s parents tested positive for Covid-19. His mother, Devika Devi and father Pan Singh were admitted to a private hospital in Ranchi and their oxygen levels were stable.

Chennai Super Kings head coach Stephen Fleming had said that the franchise was offering all the support it could to captain MS Dhoni who decided to stay on with the franchise.