India’s off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin rejoined the third Test against England in the post-tea session on day four after briefly leaving to attend to his mother in Chennai following his milestone 500th Test wicket. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), facilitated by secretary Jay Shah, arranged a chartered plane for Ashwin, a gesture praised by former head coach Ravi Shastri for its empathy towards the player.
“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 his commentary stint on Day 4 of the Rajkot Test.
Take a bow(l) maestro!#Ashwin dismissed Crawley to take his 500th wicket! What a bowler!
Keep following us for more such milestones and sports masti.#INDvsENGTest pic.twitter.com/0rALogLl5C
— Sports PUNdit (@sportzpundit) February 16, 2024
Despite his absence on day three, Ashwin did not face any penalty time under ICC regulations. While Ashwin contributed by dismissing Tom Hartley for his 501st Test wicket, it was Ravindra Jadeja who earned the ‘Man of the Match’ award for his impressive performance, including a century in the first innings and seven wickets overall.
What Does The Rule Say?
As per ICC’s clause 24.3.2, “A nominated player’s absence will not incur Penalty time if, in the opinion of umpires, if the player has left the field for other wholly acceptable reason, which shall not include illness or internal injury.” Ashwin, who arrived in Rajkot on Sunday, was seen going through his specific drills during tea.
India secured a convincing 434-run victory over England in Rajkot, with England faltering to 122 all out in pursuit of a mammoth 557-run target. Yashasvi Jaiswal’s remarkable innings of 214 off 236 balls set the stage for India’s declaration at 430-4 in their second innings.
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