India off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin had temporarily withdrawn from the ongoing third Test against England i Rajkot.
Rajkot: India off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin, who withdrew from the ongoing third Test match against England to be by his ill mother, will be rejoining the side on Sunday (Day 4), the BCCI announced. That means he will be available to bat and bowl for the rest of the match. On Friday, Ashwin had to rush back to Chennai hours after reaching the coveted milestone of 500 Test wickets on the second day. Although the BCCI didn’t mention the exact reason of his temporary withdrawal, vice-president Rajeev Shukla informed on social media that the cricketer’s mother was not keeping well.
“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,” the BCCI stated.
The BCCI also requested privacy for Ashwin’s family during this tough time. “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,” it added.
Earlir on Day 3, Ashwin’s Tamil Nadu teammate Dinesh Karthik had hinted the off-spinner’s return in this Test match itself. Karthik, who is doing commentating duties in the series, stated on air that Ashwin has been given a special permission to return to this Test match whenever he wants.
Earlier on Day 2, England opener Zak Crawley became Ashwin’s 500th victim. He thus became the second Indian After Anil Kumble (619 wickets) and ninth overall to reach this coveted milestone. Ashwin reached hi 500th Test wicket in 98 Tests, making him the second fastest to reach the feat.
Sri Lankan legend Muttiah Muralitharan tops the chart as he reached the milestone in his 87th Test match. The Indian at 37 years 152 days, became the second-oldest to reach the mark after West Indies legend Courtney Walsh. He reached the figure at the age of 38 years and 140 days in March 2001.
As far as the Test match is concerned, India are on driver’s seat after getting a 400-plus lead in the second innings. Riding on Rohit Sharma and Ravindra Jadeja’s hundreds, India posted 445 all out. In reply, England could manage only 319 despite 153 from Ben Ducckett. In the second innings, Yashavi Jaiswal’s unbeaten century and Shubman Gill’s 91 are steering the Indian batting.