Former India all-rounder and broadcaster Ravi Shastri praised the BCCI for providing a charter jet for Ravichandran Ashwin to Chennai and then back to Rajkot. Shastri made the disclosure on live on Day 4 of the third India-England Test in Rajkot on Sunday, February 18.
Ravichandran Ashwin, having recently achieved 500 Test wickets, found it necessary to leave the game after Day 2, due to an urgent family health matter. Reappearing for duty on Day 4, Ashwin managed to claim an England wicket. In an unforgettable game, Team India triumphed with 434 runs. Advancing in the series of five, they’re now ahead with a 2-1 score.
During his analysis on Day 4 of the Rajkot Test, Shastri praised the BCCI’s generosity for Ravichandran Ashwin.
“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.”
Ravi Shastri
Ravi Shastri added:
“Good gesture from the BCCI and from Ashwin, too.”
Ravi Shastri
While Ravichandran Ashwin returned to the Test match in Rajkot after missing Day 3, he was not required to serve a waiting period since the umpires examined his case under ICC Article 24.3.2, which states:
“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.”
Ravichandran Ashwin bowled six overs in India’s second innings and finished with statistics of 1/19, including the wicket of Tom Hartley.
“Shows the character and shows the kind of person he is” – Rohit hails Ravichandran Ashwin for returning to Rajkot
At the post-match news conference following India’s emphatic victory, captain Rohit Sharma supported Ashwin’s decision to withdraw from the Test. He also praised the off-spinner for rejoining the team on Day 4.
“When we heard the news, there was no second thought in our mind that he should do what he feels is right. He wanted to be with the family, which is an absolutely right thing to do and good on him to actually make a way and come here and be part of the team on this day as well. (It) shows the character and shows the kind of person he is, wanting to put everything ahead for the team.”
Rohit Sharma
Following the Rajkot Test, Ravichandran Ashwin has 501 wickets in 98 matches, at an average of 23.94.