New Delhi: Their own families caught in the devastating Chennai floods, Indian cricket team members R Ashwin and Murali Vijay said they have been pained by the loss of life in the disaster and will try to help the affected after the series against South Africa.
Ashwin and Vijay are part of the Indian team which is currently playing the fourth and final Test against South Africa in New Delhi.
Over 200 people have lost their lives and the city of Chennai has been left paralysed by the floods resulting from heavy downpours in the past few weeks.
"I am very proud of what the city had to offer in such a disaster. I think the community held up really well and also would like to thank a few of my friends, namely actor Siddharth and RJ Balaji. They were on the roads (to help people) and the spirit of Chennai came out really well. I feel gutted for the families who have lost everything in this disaster. Once the series is done I will definitely put my best foot forward for those people," Ashwin said in a message posted on bcci.tv.
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With rain wrecking havoc in his hometown Chennai and images of people scurrying for safe havens being aired round the clock, India's ace off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin said that he was scared for his family and felt helpless when he couldn't get in touch with them.
As tweeted by his wife, R Ashwin’s parents were could not be traced initially after heavy rains hammered Chennai.
Thoughts with Ashwin, who is batting right now. We have not heard from his parents in over 24hours. I can only pray he keeps his strength.
— Prithi Ashwin (@prithinarayanan) December 3, 2015Fortunately, Prithi Ashwin ‘heard from them’ and they were ‘fine and safe’.
Heard from them. They are fine and safe. Good God. Thank you. I want to hug the person who came up with Whatsapp calls.
— Prithi Ashwin (@prithinarayanan) December 3, 2015Opener Vijay said he rues not being with his family at this hour but remains hopeful of things normalising sooner tan later.
"The togetherness of the people was unbelievable. It was motivating for me. I hope everybody stays strong and pull it off together. Things will be back to normal soon. I wish I could be there with my family at this particular moment. Their strength is giving me the energy to do whatever I am doing in the match," Vijay said.
Mumbai-batsman Ajinkya Rahane, who became the first from either side to score a hundred in the ongoing series, also offered his support.
"Our prayers are with the Chennai flood victims. Some of the players' families are in Chennai, so we can actually feel the pain and an emotional connect with the victims. I pray for the safety of those stranded," he said.
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