'Happiness and gratitude are words that define me now' - R Ashwin pens a heartwarming post after T20 World Cup 2021 call-up

Hours after his inclusion in the T20 World Cup squad of India, off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin took to Twitter to reveal a personal story.

“2017: I wrote this quote down a million times in my diary before putting this up on the wall! Quotes that we read and admire have more power when we internalise them and apply in life. Happiness and gratitude are the only 2 words that define me now,” he wrote on September 8, with an inspiring quote that goes, “Every tunnel has light at the end of it but only those in the tunnel who believe in the light will live to see it”, written on the wall.

Currently a part of India’s 20-member Test contingent for the England series, Ashwin last represented the team in limited-overs in 2017 against West Indies before falling out of selectors’ radar as far as the team’s limited-overs setup is concerned. Further, the rising stocks of spinners Yuzvendra Chahal and Kuldeep Yadav followed by Axar Patel, Washington Sundar and Rahul Chahar did not help Ashwin’s cause either.

However, spin twins Chahal and Kuldeep have not been considered for the upcoming World Cup, while Sundar stands ruled out due to a finger injury he picked during India’s three-day warm-up fixture on England tour.

2017: I wrote this quote down a million times in my diary before putting this up on the wall! Quotes that we read and admire have more power when we internalise them and apply in life.

Happiness and gratitude are the only 2 words that define me now.🙏 #t20worldcup2021 pic.twitter.com/O0L3y6OBLl

— Mask up and take your vaccine🙏🙏🇮🇳 (@ashwinravi99) September 8, 2021

Washington Sundar is injured and Ashwin is an asset for the team: Chetan Sharma

Revealing the reason behind Ashwin’s inclusion, Team India chief selector Chetan Sharma said: “Ravichandran Ashwin has been playing in the IPL regularly. He has performed well there. When you go into the World Cup, you need an off-spinner, everyone has an idea that the wickets in the UAE will get slower as IPL will also be played there.”

“Spinners will get assistance so having an off-spinner holds the key. Washington Sundar is injured and Ashwin is an asset for the team. He has performed well in the IPL so that is why he has found a place for himself in the squad,” he added.

Meanwhile, highlighting the primary reason behind Chahal’s exclusion, Sharma stated: “Spinners who bowl quick was our priority. Hence, we went with Rahul Chahar,” while he admitted that Varun Chakravarthy is “surprise package as a mystery bowler.”