Indian Cricketer Arrives at Chepauk for Bangladesh Test Less than 24 Hours After Grandmother's Passing: 'Nervous, but Ready'

India cricketer Abhinav Mukund will always cherish the opening Test of the two-match series against Bangladesh. Despite being out of contention for a spot in the Indian team and not playing for the national team in seven years, Mukund made his broadcasting debut in Chennai during this match. However, it wasn't an easy journey for Mukund as he had to overcome emotional challenges before starting his new career. After India's impressive 280-run victory against Bangladesh on Sunday, Mukund revealed the turmoil he faced before stepping into the broadcasting world.

Taking to his social media page, Mukund revealed that his grandmother had passed away just a day before the start of the Test series at the MA Chidambaram Stadium. He admitted that while he was nervous going for his broadcasting duty, he felt at home, in Chepauk, which is also his home ground, and was grateful to have witnessed Ravichandran Ashwin script the record of matching Shane Warne's tally of five-wicket hauls in Test cricket.

Mukund, in his lengthy post on Instagram, also thanked his colleagues and former cricketers Saba Karim, Parthiv Patel and Bangladesh's Tamim Iqbal, who accompanied him throughout the course of the four days in Chennai.

“Less than 24 hours after my grandmother passed away, I had to go live as an anchor for the very 1st time. From cricketer to expert and now hosting the show I was nervous. But thankfully I felt at home in chepauk and managed to sail through these 4 days and watched the local boy @rashwin99 scale newer heights and equal the late Shane Warne’s tally of 5wkt hauls,” he wrote.

“Another box ticked in my broadcasting career hosting the English show on @officialjiocinema and I am extremely thankful to @parthiv9 and @tamimofficial for giving me such lovely company throughout the test match. @sabakarim_india was “natty” as well! Enjoyed my first test match, I am sure my grandmother was watching over me to ensure I was calm amidst the chaos! Off to Kanpur now.”

A post shared by Abhinav Mukund (@abhinavmukund)

The second Test against Bangladesh will begin in September 27 in Kanpur's Green Park Stadium, where India will look to script a 2-0 clean sweep and maintain their flawless record against their neighbours. The win will also see India inch another step closer to sealing the spot for the World Test Championship final for the third time in a row.