Indian off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin made the difficult decision to withdraw from the ongoing third Test against England to attend to a family emergency back home in Chennai. Although the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) initially provided an update without specifying the nature of the emergency, BCCI President Rajeev Shukla later confirmed on social media that Ashwin's mother had fallen ill.
In an official statement, the BCCI expressed full support for Ashwin during this challenging time. The board emphasized the importance of prioritizing the health and well-being of players and their families, urging respect for Ashwin's privacy as he deals with the situation.
Shortly after the announcement, Shukla took to social media again to extend wishes for Ashwin's mother's speedy recovery, highlighting the urgency of his departure from the Rajkot Test to be by her side. BCCI Secretary Jay Shah reiterated the board's commitment to providing any necessary assistance to Ashwin and emphasized the importance of understanding and empathy from fans and media during this sensitive period.
With Ashwin's absence, India will continue the remainder of the third Test with ten men and four specialist bowlers. It is anticipated that Ashwin may not be available for the remaining two Test matches scheduled in Ranchi and Dharamsala.
As for a replacement in the off-spin bowling department, the team already has Washington Sundar in its ranks. Additionally, outside the squad, veterans Jayant Yadav and Jalaj Saxena, along with young Pulkit Narang, are potential options for consideration.
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