The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has announced positive news about R Ashwin, confirming that the senior off-spinner will rejoin Team India in Rajkot and will resume his role on Day 4.
The BCCI gave this update soon after the start of Day 4 of the match which is on Sunday as India continues their dominant hold on the match. Ashwin is expected to arrive in Rajkot by 12 PM.
The BCCI said, “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.”
“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 cause in the ongoing Test match.”
The off-spinner is allowed to bowl and bat in the rest of the match.
Why did R Ashwin leave Rajkot Test?
R Ashwin had left Rajkot on the evening of Friday, flying back to his home in Chennai for a medical emergency in his family.
Rajiv Shukla, the BCCI vice president, announced publically, on Twitter, that the health of Ashwin’s mother is not well and hence he left the game mid-way.
Shukla tweeted, “Wishing speedy recovery of mother of @ashwinravi99. He has to rush and leave Rajkot test to Chennai to be with his mother. @BCCI”
Devdutt Padikkal fielded for Ashwin on Day 3 of the match as a substitute. In Ashwin’s absence, the other four bowlers – Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Kuldeep Yadav, and Ravindra Jadeja – shared responsibility and bundled England for 319, taking a lead of 126 runs. By stumps on Day 3, India were in a commanding position with their lead swelling to 322 and 8 wickets in hand.
The BCCI added, “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.”
Ravichandran Ashwin is on the way back to Rajkot. [Espn Cricinfo]
– Great news for India. 🇮🇳 pic.twitter.com/7A3OSWf9Fz
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) February 18, 2024
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