Ace India spinner R Ashwin had missed the third day’s play of the ongoing third test against England in Rajkot as he flew back home due to an emergency. However, the spinner was back with the team on the fourth day and rejoined the team.
India meanwhile declared its second innings on 430/4 with Yashasvi Jaiswal scoring 214*, Shubman Gill making 91 and Sarfaraz Khan scoring 68*. This meant that England was set a target of 557 runs to win the third Test and go 2-1 up in the five-match series.
Ashwin, who picked his 500th Test wicket in this ongoing match, withdrew from the match at the end of day 2 as he rushed back home to be with his ailing mother. However, the off-spinner returned on Day 4 afternoon, joining the team on the field after the Tea break on Sunday, February 18.
R Ashwin was seen warming up by bowling on the practice pitches immediately after he reached the Niranjan Shah Stadium in Rajkot on Sunday. Ashwin was greeted by his teammates in the huddle before he resumed playing.
Former India cricketer Ravi Shastri revealed that the BCCI arranged a chartered plane for R Ashwin to take him home to visit his ailing mother and bring him back as well.
"The BCCI secretary Jay Shah organized 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. Good gesture from the BCCI and Ashwin, too," Ravi Shastri said during his commentary stint on Day 4 of the Rajkot Test.
Ashwin was allowed to take the field and continue bowling without the mandatory waiting period as the match officials made the exception possible in another good gesture. According to cricket laws, any player can return to bowl only after spending as much time on the field, as he/she spent off the field.
