Veteran off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin re-joined the Indian team during the post-tea session on Day 4 of the third Test against England. Ravichandran Ashwin had withdrawn from the contest at the end of the day’s play on Friday to attend to his ailing mother.
On Day 2 of the third Test in Rajkot, Ashwin achieved a significant milestone by dismissing England’s Zak Crawley for his 500th Test wicket. However, later that night, the BCCI announced Ashwin’s withdrawal from the ongoing match due to a family emergency.
Ravichandran Ashwin Avoids Penalty According to ICC Rules
Ashwin faced no penalty time for his absence on the third day, according to the ICC’s playing conditions. According to ICC clause 24.3.2, a player’s departure won’t result in penalty time if deemed acceptable by umpires.
As per ICC’s clause 24.3.2, “A nominated player’s absence will not incur Penalty time if, in the opinion of umpires, if the player has left the field for other wholly acceptable reason, which shall not include illness or internal injury.”
On Day 3, the Indian team faced a challenge with only 10 players from the playing XI and an additional substitute fielder. Despite this, the Indian team delivered an impressive performance on a flat pitch, bowling out the opposition team for a total of 319 runs.
The home team didn’t require a contribution from Ravichandran Ashwin with the bat in their second innings. The Rohit Sharma-led team declared at a total of 430/4 during the session, setting a nearly impossible target of 557 for the visitors in the final innings.
Ravichandran Ashwin Will Continue To Contribute – BCCI
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) announced Ravichandran Ashwin’s return on Day 4 of the Test match. The statement expressed gratitude for the understanding and support from the team, management, media, and fans during this challenging period.
“The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is pleased to announce the return of R Ashwin to the squad after a brief absence due to a family emergency. Ashwin had to temporarily withdraw from the squad after Day 2 of the 3rd Test in Rajkot to attend to a family emergency,” BCCI’s release read.
“Both R Ashwin and the team management are pleased to confirm that he will be back in action on Day 4 and will continue to contribute towards the team’s cause in the ongoing Test match,” it continued.
“The team management, players, media, and fans have shown immense understanding and empathy, acknowledging the importance of family as a priority. The team and its supporters have stood united in support of Ashwin during this challenging period, and the management is delighted to welcome him back to the field.”
“Ashwin and his family kindly request privacy as they navigate through these challenging times,” the statement concluded.
The Men in Blue are on the verge of clinching victory in the third Test as they picked up England’s seven wickets for just 50 runs. Ravindra Jadeja took three wickets for 11 runs, while Kuldeep Yadav secured two crucial wickets, and Jasprit Bumrah took one.
Also read: Ravichandran Ashwin lashes out at Alastair Cook for accusations of deliberately running on Rajkot pitch
