Former India coach Ravi Shastri disclosed that Ravichandran Ashwin had returned home via a chartered flight organised by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) secretary, Jay Shah. R. Ashwin made a comeback on the field during the tea break on Day 4 of the ongoing 3rd India vs England Test and is set to participate in the remaining sessions of the Test in Rajkot. Ashwin was seen bowling on the practice pitches, accompanied by head coach Rahul Dravid and bowling coach Paras Mhambrey.
Ashwin had to depart for Chennai to attend to his ailing mother, mere hours after achieving the significant milestone of 500 Test wickets on the second day of the IND vs ENG Test match in Rajkot.
'Players Feel They Belong And Are Special'
Ravi Shastri commended BCCI Secretary Jay Shah for organising a charter to facilitate R. Ashwin's return home to attend to his ailing mother and then bring him back to continue playing in the Test match. Shastri emphasised the importance of such empathy from the cricket board, making players feel valued and special.
"The BCCI secretary Jay Shah organised a charter to take him home and bring him back. I think that's the kind of empathy that's needed from the BCCI as well. There are the guardians of Indian cricket and with this kind of empathy, they will go a long, long way. It also makes the players feel they belong and are special," Ravi Shastri said during commentary on Day 4 of the Rajkot Test.
India Wreak Havoc To England's Aspirations Of Levelling The Series
Coming to the ongoing 3rd IND vs ENG Test of the five-match Test series between India and England, India, powered by Yashasvi Jaiswal’s magnificent knock of 214* and Sarfaraz’s quickfire 68* gave the target of 557 to England.
Coming in to bat, England experienced a shaky start as their centurion from the first innings was dismissed due to a horrible mixup in the middle of the pitch with Zak Crawley causing England to lose their first wicket very early. From then on, England tumbled down like a pack of cards and soon found themselves reeling at 53-7 in 27 overs.