India vs England 3rd Test: Ravichandran Ashwin has withdrawn from the Rajkot Test and the Indian squad immediately owing to a family medical emergency.
Ravichandran Ashwin will miss the ongoing third Test against England in Rajkot after withdrawing from the Indian squad owing to a family issue. The BCCI acknowledged the development in a statement issued late Friday night.
“Ravichandran Ashwin has withdrawn from the Test squad with immediate effect due to a family medical emergency.” In these trying times, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and the squad are completely behind Ashwin,” the BCCI stated in a media release.
“The BCCI expresses its sincere support for the champion cricketer and his family. The health and well-being of the players and their families are of the highest significance. The Board respectfully asks Ashwin and his family’s privacy as they traverse this difficult period.”
Unfortunately, Ashwin’s setback occurred on the same day he took his 500th Test wicket. The off-spinner, who got the second-fastest to the milestone by removing opener Zak Crawley in England’s first innings, was anticipated to play a key role on Day 3 as India sought to regain momentum from the hosts. However, his unexpected withdrawal depletes India’s bowling attack, as the country is expected to field with 10 players owing to ICC rules.
While the exact details have not been revealed, Ashwin’s withdrawal adds to the Indian team’s growing troubles, which already without Virat Kohli due to personal reasons and KL Rahul, who is nursing an injury. Although no additional information has been provided, the tone of the board’s release suggests that this is a severe concern. The choice of words suggests that the situation is dire.
“The Board and team will continue to provide Ashwin with any help that is required, and the lines of communication will remain open to offer support as needed. “Team India appreciates the fans’ and media’s understanding and empathy during this sensitive period,” the BCCI added.
Ashwin was busy on Day 2 of the Rajkot Tests. He made headlines for his batting, scoring a critical 37 off 89 deliveries to help India’s middle lower order reach 445. During his innings, Ashwin mistakenly ran into the centre of the pitch, prompting the umpire to pull him up. With Ravindra Jadeja on Day 1 and Ashwin on Day 2 guilty of rushing on the wicket, umpire Joel Wilson penalised India with five runs. However, Ashwin, who is not afraid to pick brains, did not resume batting without first ‘discussing’ the issue with Wilson several times.
Ashwin on his father’s health
Earlier in the day, while speaking after stumps on Day 2, Ashwin remarked how his father had been at his side throughout the journey. Ashwin even admitted that the fact that he was playing for India made his father apprehensive.
“It has been quite a lengthy journey. First and foremost, I’d like to dedicate this accomplishment to my father. He’s been there with me through thick and thin, and he probably had a heart attack every time he saw me play. “His health has most likely suffered as a result,” he stated.
Ashwin hit a bottomless pit
In an interview with former India captain Kumble on Jio Cinema, the official broadcaster of the India vs England series, Ashwin spoke approaching the darkest part of his career. Ashwin recalled some of his most difficult days in his career, describing them as a ‘bottomless pit’. Back in 2018, Ashwin failed to meet expectations against England owing to an abdominal injury, and Team India lost the Southampton Test on a spin-friendly deck.
“For me, life has been a series of ups and downs, with the lowest point coming between 2018 and 2019. I was the ICC Cricketer of the Year, and I was on top of the world, so going from there to a really, very bottomless pit was a really dark period in my life,” Ashwin told Kumble.
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