Team India veteran spinner Ravichandran Ashwin walked out to the field after Tea on Day 4 of the 3rd Test against England in Rajkot on February 18 (Sunday). Ashwin returned from home and rejoined the squad after missing the entirety of Day 3 as he left the team and traveled home after the conclusion of Day 2 due to a family emergency. On Sunday morning, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) provided an update on Ashwin and confirmed that the off-spinner will rejoin the team on Day 4.
No waiting period for Ashwin
On Day 3, Dinesh Karthik revealed a significant exception granted to Ravichandran Ashwin by the match officials. Ashwin, who had to temporarily leave the match due to a family emergency, was allowed to resume bowling immediately upon his return. Normally, cricket regulations require a player to spend a duration off the field equivalent to their absence before they can engage in crucial aspects of the game, such as batting or bowling. This rule is designed to ensure fairness and maintain the integrity of the sport by requiring players to be present on the field for a proportionate amount of time.
Record-breaker Ashwin completes 500 Test wickets
Ravichandran Ashwin's ascent to 500 Test wickets is a monumental achievement, accomplished in merely 98 Test matches. This remarkable feat positions him as the second-fastest cricketer to reach this milestone in the annals of Test cricket, only behind the legendary Muttiah Muralidaran of Sri Lanka, who set the benchmark in 87 Tests. Ashwin's entry into this elite circle places him among the pantheon of cricket greats, including Anil Kumble, Shane Warne, and Glenn McGrath, highlighting his extraordinary talent and unwavering consistency through the years.
Demonstrating not just skill but also efficiency, Ashwin secured his 500th Test wicket with 25,714 deliveries, becoming the second-fastest to this milestone by deliveries bowled, with only McGrath outpacing him. This achievement speaks volumes about Ashwin's strategic acumen and his ability to sustain pressure over prolonged periods, cementing his status as a master of the craft.
Among contemporaries, Ashwin emerges as the third highest wicket-taker, standing tall in the shadow of James Anderson, who is on the verge of the 700-wicket mark, and Nathan Lyon, who has claimed 517 wickets in 127 Tests. Ashwin's journey and his position among current players underscore his significant contribution to cricket, marking him as a formidable force in the international arena.
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