Ravichandran Ashwin, the star Indian off-spinner, will be back with the Indian contingent in the ongoing India vs England third Test at the Niranjan Shah Stadium in Rajkot. Notably, Ashwin had flown back home due to a health emergency in the family after the end of second day's play. While he could not take part in India's bowling on Day 3, the Board of Control for Cricket in India, has now confirmed that he would be back with the team on Day 4 and ply his trade with the ball in the second innings.
"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," the Indian cricket board confirmed in a statement.
"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's cause in the ongoing Test match. Ashwin and his family kindly request privacy as they navigate through these challenging times," it added.
IND vs ENG 3rd Test: Ravichandran Ashwin Available To Bowl As Soon As He Is Needed
Meanwhile, it is pertinent to note that despite spending an entire day off the field, Ashwin would be available to bowl as soon as he is on the field and when he is needed to do so. The same was confirmed by Dinesh Karthik on commentary on Day 3. Umpires have the power to waive off the penalty time if they reckon that the player was off the field for "other wholly acceptable reasons, which shall not include illness or internal injury" as confirmed in the playing conditions, a right which they will be using for Ashwin.
While Ashwin scalped his 500th Test wicket on Day 2 and later interacted with media, the BCCI late in the night informed that Ashwin has opted to withdraw from the Test. BCCI Vice-President Rajeev Shukla later confirmed that Ashwin had flown to be with his mother who fell ill despite the Board's release made no mention of the specific details for Ashwin's opting out.