<p><strong>Rajkot</strong>: In the current third Test match between India and England at the Saurashtra Cricket Association stadium, India would have to contend with four bowlers available. Due to his mother’s sickness, leading off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin was forced to retire on Friday and return to Chennai, dealing a severe blow to the hosts. Ashwin became the ninth player overall and the second Indian to attain the coveted 500 Test wicket mark earlier that day.</p>
<p><img decoding=”async” class=”alignnone wp-image-417474″ src=”https://www.theindiaprint.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/theindiaprint.com-mixcollage-17-feb-2024-09-37-am-9084-11zon.jpg” alt=”theindiaprint.com mixcollage 17 feb 2024 09 37 am 9084 11zon” width=”1077″ height=”726″ title=”Can India field a substitute for Ravichandran Ashwin in the Rajkot Test? IND vs. ENG. This Is What The Rules Say 3″ srcset=”https://www.theindiaprint.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/theindiaprint.com-mixcollage-17-feb-2024-09-37-am-9084-11zon.jpg 700w, https://www.theindiaprint.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/theindiaprint.com-mixcollage-17-feb-2024-09-37-am-9084-11zon-150×101.jpg 150w” sizes=”(max-width: 1077px) 100vw, 1077px” /></p>
<p>A substitute player may only be brought in by a team in the event of a concussion or COVID-19, per the regulations. India will have to use ten players and a replacement outfield for the remainder of the match if none of the two happen to Ashwin. Neither the bowl nor the bat can be used to help the stand-in fielder.</p>
<p>Devdutt Padikkal entered the game on Day 3 as a stand-in outfield. The BCCI had already announced Ashwin’s withdrawal from the Rajkot Test late on Friday. Despite the board’s decision to limit it to Ashwin’s “family emergency,” BCCI vice-president Raeev Shukla revealed the information.</p>
<p>The seasoned administrator said on the social networking site “X” that Ashwin needed to take a plane back to his sick mother’s side. “I’m wishing @ashwinravi99’s mother a quick recovery. In order to see his mother in Chennai, he must quickly leave Rajkot. @BCCI,” wrote Shukla.</p>
<p>The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and the squad completely support Ashwin during these trying times, the BCCI had previously said in a written statement. The BCCI offers the winning cricket player and his family its sincere support. The athletes’ and their loved ones’ health and well-being are the most important things. The Board asks that Ashwin and his family be allowed to remain private as they go through this difficult period.</p>
<p>Also, it is known that Ashwin will not be eligible for selection in the two remaining Tests, which will be held in Ranchi and Dharamshala. India has Washington Sundar as a backup in case Ashwin is unable to play. The youthful Pulkit Narang and the seasoned Jayant Yadav and Jalaj Saxena are the other potential replacements who are not in the team.</p>
<p>Meanwhile, in his 98th game, Ashwin achieved the milestone of 500 Test wickets when he removed England’s Zak Crawley during the first innings.</p>
