Visakhapatnam: After spinning the English team down with his terrific performance in the second match of India-England Test series at Vizag, star all-rounder of Indian cricket team R. Ashwin celebrated the win with Naval personnel over a cup of coffee at INS Jalashwa here on Monday.
Eastern Fleet Chief Rear Admiral Biswajit Dasgupta introduced Ashwin to all staff gathered at INS Jalashwa and appreciated the bowler for his discipline, fitness, accuracy and strategy and also rising to the occasion whenever the team needed him most.
When asked why only Ashwin was invited, Rear Admiral Dasgupta said, “Well, it is the other way around. Ashwin wanted to visit us. After all, he is a great player and has always been an ardent admirer of men or women in uniform guarding the nation with his good gesture. It is a pleasure of the Eastern Naval Command to host India’s champion cricketer today.
“His video invitation to share a cup of coffee with the Indian soldier as part of the Prime Minister’s #Sandesh2Soldiers initiative was earnest and thoughtful and we felt it opportune to reciprocate his sentiment,” he added.
Speaking to sailors and officers on board INS Jala-shwa, Ashwin said, “It’s very tough for me to addr-ess a gathering as I speak very less. I came here just to show my gratitude to the real heroes who fight on a real field. I can recall how the defence personnel rescued Chennai during the flood and I always salute them for their sacrifice.
“Sharing the joy of a hard fought Test match victory, with those than know what it takes to win battles and wars, is really special for me. I am really grateful to the Indian Navy and the Indian Armed Forces for everything that they do for us,” he added."
Later, he had an informal chat with ENC cricket team players and also posed for photographs and gave autographs on coffee mugs. He wrote on the visitors’ diary: “It’s a great privilege and honour to visit here and have coffee with the men in white. On the occasion of Diwali, I had shared a thoughtful video message on social media about our Armed personnel and I am happy that it came true today.”
