Ashwin rejoined the Indian team in Rajkot on Day 4 of the third Test.
After the second day’s play, the hosts suffered a big setback as senior spinner R Ashwin withdrew from the Rajkot Test due to a family medical emergency.
In Ashwin’s absence, India needed other bowlers to step up to the plate and the likes of Mohammed Siraj (4/84), Ravindra Jadeja (2/51), Kuldeep Yadav (2/77) and Jasprit Bumrah (1/54) did exactly that to bundle out England for 319, securing a significant first-innings lead of 126 runs.
After the victory, India skipper Rohit Sharma said that missing out on your best bowler was not an easy challenge to overcome.
“When you lose your most experienced bowler… especially in the middle of a Test match is not easy,” said Rohit in the post-match presser.
The captain backed Ashwin’s decision to go back to be with his family mid-way through the third Test match.
“Everything was aside, family comes first. And when we heard the news, there was no second thought in our mind,” Rohit stated.
“(We felt) he should do what he feels is right and he wanted to be with the family which is absolutely the right thing to do,” he added.
Ashwin rejoined the Indian team in Rajkot on Day 4 of the third Test and Rohit praised the off-spinner’s team-first mentality.
“Good on him to make his way and come here and be part of the team on this day. Shows the character and shows the kind of person he is… wanting to put everything ahead for the team.”
Notably, Ashwin played a handy knock with the bat on Day 2 of the third Test, scoring 37 runs with six boundaries en route to his 77-run partnership with debutant Dhruv Jurel for the eighth wicket. His knock helped India post a strong total of 445/10 in their first innings.
Later on the second day, Ashwin dismissed Zak Crawley to claim his 500th Test wicket, becoming just the second Indian after the legendary Anil Kumble to achieve this feat.
After rejoining the team, Ashwin got rid of Tom Hartley in the fourth innings as India registered their biggest victory in Test cricket (in terms of runs).
The fourth Test is scheduled to be held in Rajkot from February 23.
(CricketNext inputs)