For Indian fans, cricket is less of a game and more of a religion. Not surprisingly enough, cricket fans pretty much revere their favourite players and their fandom knows no bounds.
Which is why it is quite heartening to hear about cricket idols returning the love and adoration they receive from their fans with an equally heart-warming gesture.
Despite not being a part of the series himself, Ravichandran Ashwin, made arrangements for an ailing fan to be able to watch Sunday’s India–Australia ODI live at the M A Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai.
The fan, 43-year-old P. Venkatesan, suffers from a kidney ailment, for which he will be undergoing a transplant in November.
Venkatesan, who is a regular sight at the Chidambaram stadium, was quite disappointed that he wouldn’t be able to watch his favourite player on the field, especially since the match was on 17th September—Ashwin’s birthday.
The off-spinner is far away in Worcestershire, England, playing some county cricket. But looks like his heart was right here with his fan because he made sure Venkatesan was able to watch the match, live, from the hospitality box at the stadium.
Naturally, the delighted fan was bowled over by this lovely gesture, as he expressed his gratitude in an interview with The Times of India.
“I have only viewed from the galleries. Thanks to the efforts taken by Ashwin’s management team, I am watching the game from the hospitality box. For someone like me it’s a once-in-a-lifetime event. I will never ever forget the courtesy extended by Ashwin.”
What an amazing thing to do for a fan, isn’t it?
According to Ashwin’s statement to the Times of India, it was all about “putting a smile on faces” as part of the endeavours by The Ashwin Foundation.
“Every request or friendly demand cannot be met with a positive response but we do the best we can. Venkat is a genuine cricket lover and this is the least we could do for him.”
While Ashwin’s gesture totally made Venkatesan’s day, whatever little glitch in his happiness remained was totally alleviated by India’s triumph over the Aussies.
Now that’s what you call a win-win for all!