Why did Ravichandran Ashwin LEAVE the Rajkot Test midway? Find out here

Ravichandran Ashwin had picked up his 500th Test wicket on Day 2 of the Rajkot Test, but had to withdraw at night.

Why did Ravichandran Ashwin LEAVE the Rajkot Test midway? Find out here

Ravichandran Ashwin withdrew from the Rajkot Test due to a family emergency (Image via ESPN)

On the day Ravichandran Ashwin picked up his 500th wicket, but he had to withdraw from the Test match. On the night of 16th February, the BCCI announced that he had to leave due to a family emergency. The BCCI also requested everyone to give privacy to the all-rounder. 

On the same night, BCCI Vice-President Rajeev Shukla tweeted that he wished for the quick recovery of his mother, who had fallen ill. He confirmed that Ashwin had to leave for Chennai immediately, which means his participation for the rest of the Test in Rajkot was not possible. 

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India will now have to play with 10 men due to Ashwin’s withdrawal. They could get in a substitute for the off-spinner, but it would only be possible if Ben Stokes consents to it. This is stated in the MCC Laws of Cricket, Section 1.2.2. The possible replacements for Ashwin are Axar Patel and Washington Sundar. 

Did Ravichandran Ashwin take a sly dig at Rohit Sharma? 

On day two of the Rajkot Test, Ben Duckett set off a counter-attacking innings, not sparing the pacers and the spinners on the flat pitch. He reached his century in just 88 balls, and was finally out for 153 runs, which he scored off 151 balls.

Ravichandran Ashwin
Ben Duckett, Ravichandran Ashwin (Images via ESPNcricinfo)

Ravichandran Ashwin has a good record against Duckett, getting him out five out of seven times before the Rajkot Test. On the same day as Duckett’s century, Ashwin had picked up his 500th Test wicket. Talking to the press, he said he was not happy about bowling to a well set Duckett, instead of bowling to him when he just came in to bat. 

I would have really liked to bowl at him when he was at 0 and not at 60-70 runs. He is a very different player to bowl at when he is at 60-70 runs for sure.
Ravichandran Ashwin on Ben Duckett

It looked like he was criticizing his captain, Rohit Sharma, for bringing him on late to bowl. Sharma has been criticized by many fans and pundits for his recent performances as a captain. Many have stated that he isn’t proactive and is very defensive in his approach. 

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