- Ravichandran Ashwin had to leave the India vs England 3rd Test due to a family emergency.
- Devdutt Padikkal replaced Ashwin as a substitute fielder, following MCC rules.
- Ashwin reached a milestone of 500 wickets in the match before departing.
Ravichandran Ashwin had to leave the India vs England 3rd Test match in Rajkot suddenly because of a family emergency. He’s a key player for India, known for his spin bowling skills. But due to this unexpected situation, he had to fly back to Chennai to be with his family.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) announced this sad news, sending their support to Ashwin and his family. It’s really important to them that players and their families are doing okay.
BCCI Vice President Rajeev Shukla also shared the news on X, expressing his wishes for Ashwin’s mother to get better soon.
Before Ashwin left, there were some adjustments made in the team. Devdutt Padikkal, a talented left-handed batsman, was brought in as a substitute fielder. But there’s a rule that says a substitute can’t bat or bowl. They can only field, and in some cases, with permission, they can also keep wickets.
If Ashwin had to leave before the match started, India could have replaced him with another player. But since the match was already on when he had to leave, they couldn’t do that. It’s a rule of the game that once the match begins, you can’t switch players unless both captains agree.
This sudden departure was tough for Ashwin because he had been doing really well in the match. He even reached a milestone by taking his 500th wicket! It’s a big achievement for any bowler. Ashwin now joins a small group of elite players who have achieved this feat. The crowd applauded him, and his teammates congratulated him on the field.
But it wasn’t all smooth sailing for Ashwin in this match. He got into a bit of trouble for running in the middle of the pitch, which is against the rules. As a result, India was penalized five runs. Despite this hiccup, it was still a memorable day for Ashwin, filled with highs and lows.
Overall, it’s a reminder that cricket, like life, can be unpredictable. Ashwin’s sudden departure showed that family always comes first, no matter what. And his teammates will continue to play on, carrying his spirit with them on the field.