IND vs ENG, 3rd Test: Minutes After BCCI's Release Requests Respect For Ashwin's Privacy, VP Reveals Reason Behind Him Pulling Out

IND vs ENG 3rd Test; While the BCCI release did not dive into the specific details of Ravichandran Ashwin pulling out of the Rajkot Test, Board Vice President Rajeev Shukla made it public.

India's Ravichandran Ashwin bowls on day two of the 3rd Cricket Test Match between India and England, at Niranjan Shah Stadium, in Rajkot, Friday, Feb. 16, 2024. ( Image Source :PTI )

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) shared a release late on Friday night revealing that off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has withdrawn himself from the ongoing Rajkot Test due to a family health emergency. While the release requested respect for Ashwin's privacy, minutes after the official statement was shared on the official social media handle of BCCI, Board Vice President Rajeev Shukla revealed the reason behind Ashwin having to pull out of an ongoing match which hangs in the balance.

"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. The Board requests respect for the privacy of Ashwin and his family as they navigate through this challenging time," the official release from BCCI read, not diving deep into the reason behind the veteran spinner, who got to the 500-Test wicket milestone on Friday, opting out.

However, in a social media post, which seems in contradiction to the statement, Board Vice President Shukla disclosed why Ashwin had to leave Rajkot. 

"Wishing speedy recovery of mother of @ashwinravi99. He has to rush and leave Rajkot test to Chennai to be with his mother. @BCCI," he wrote in a post on X.

Here is his post:

 

Wishing speedy recovery of mother of @ashwinravi99 . He has to rush and leave Rajkot test to Chennai to be with his mother . @BCCI

— Rajeev Shukla (@ShuklaRajiv) February 16, 2024

IND vs ENG 3rd Test: India Take 126-Run Lead On Day 3

It was a case of no Ashwin, no problem for the rest of the Indian bowlers as they managed to bowl England out for 319, handing India a 126-run lead. England were 207/2 at the end of the second day's play but Kuldeep Yadav and Jasprit Bumrah produced wickets in the first session before Mohammed Siraj and Ravindra Jadeja wrapped up the Indian tail with Siraj finishing with a four-wicket haul.