Ashwin Withdraws from 3rd Test Match Due to Personal Reasons

R Ashwin's family medical issue has forced him to miss the third Test.

(Cricket News) The off-spinner for India, R Ashwin, has withdrawn from the third Test match between India and England in Rajkot because of a family issue. Following the end of the second day of play on Friday, February 16, the 37-year-old claimed his 500th Test wicket. The news was made late in the evening.

In a press release on Friday (February 16), the BCCI said, “Ravichandran Ashwin has withdrawn from the Test squad, effective immediately owing to a family medical issue.” “The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and the squad completely back Ashwin during these trying times.”

Vice president of the BCCI Rajiv Shukla posted on X, formerly Twitter, saying, “Rashwin’s mother is recovering quickly. He needs to get to Chennai quickly so he can see his mother after the Rajkot exam.”

The board went on to say in the statement, “The BCCI offers the champion cricket player and his family its sincere support. The players’ and their loved ones’ health and well-being are the most important things. The Board asks that Ashwin and his family be allowed to maintain their privacy while they go through this difficult period.

“The Board and the team will not stop offering Ashwin any support when he needs it, and we will maintain open channels of communication to do so.” During this delicate time, Team India is grateful for the compassion and understanding shown by the public and media.”

Ashwin’s absence may leave India with just ten players ready to play in the third Test, which has three days left. His withdrawal extends the roster of players who will be out for the duration of the series or specific games.

Prior to the commencement of the series, Harry Brook withdrew for personal reasons, while Virat Kohli likewise refrained from selection for personal reasons, first for the first two Tests and then for the entire series.

A few people have also been injured. Due to a left knee injury, he suffered in the first Test, Jack Leach was out of the series, and KL Rahul, who missed the second Test because of a quadriceps injury, was unable to play in the third game because of a sore knee. After suffering a hamstring injury in the first Test, Ravindra Jadeja was unable to play in the second game in Vizag. However, he was able to rejoin the India XI for the Rajkot Test.