Just a few hours after picking his 500th Test wicket on Day 2 of the Test, senior India off-spinner R Ashwin had to, unfortunately, withdraw from the rest of the game against England and leave Rajkot “effective immediately due to a family medical emergency,” the BCCI said.
R Ashwin took Zak Crawley’s wicket in England’s first innings of the third Test of the series and entered the 500 Test wickets club, which had 8 bowlers, and only one Indian, Anil Kumble, before him.
However, by evening, the BCCI announced that the 37-year-old had left Rajkot to tend to a medical emergency in his family.
Soon, Rajiv Shukla, the BCCI vice president, said on Twitter that the health of Ashwin’s mother is not well and hence the off-spinner 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”
Can India bring in a replacement for R Ashwin?
No. India will have to play with 10 men plus a substitute that can only field and won’t be allowed to bat or bowl. According to the laws, a team cannot replace a player during a match in such cases. The ICC allows substitutes who can take full part in the match for only concussion and COVID-19 reasons.
The BCCI added, “The BCCI extends its heartfelt support to the champion cricketer and his family. The health and well-being of the players and their loved ones are of utmost importance.”
India have been handed a huge blow in the match as R Ashwin could’ve threatened the marauding Ben Duckett, and the following Ben Stokes, on Day 3.
Duckett brought out the best of Bazball as he smashed 133* runs in 118 balls, walloping 21 fours and two sixes. In the absence of Ashwin, India are left with Ravindra Jadeja and Kuldeep Yadav as the spinners.
England trail by 238 more runs in the first innings and have 8 wickets in hand.
Also Read: PM Modi Congratulated Ravichandran Ashwin On 500 Test Wickets Milestone With A Special Tweet
