Ashwin gets a warm welcome in hometown

Chennai, April 04: Spinner R Ashwin, who featured in just two matches in India’s successful World Cup campaign but made his presence felt with a terrific show against Australia, was accorded a warm welcome in his native place here today.

A lot of fans gathered outside his house and cheered the off-spinner on his arrival from Mumbai, where he met President Pratibha Patil at Raj Bhawan on Sunday.

A few excited fans lifted the shy cricketer on their shoulders and some other welcomed him by burning firecrackers.

Ahswin’s parents arranged for a care-cutting ceremony on the occasion.

Asked if he felt disappointed on missing out on playing the final against Sri Lanka, Ashwin replied in a negative.

“I am happy that skipper M S (Dhoni) used me as a weapon when he needed me.

—-PTi