While commentating during India and England’s 3rd of a 5-match Test series at the Niranjan Shah stadium in Rajkot, former India cricketer, team director, and head coach Ravi Shastri revealed that BCCI’s honorable secretary Jay Shah had arranged a chartered plane for India’s off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin so that he could attend his ill mother back home in Tamil Nadu.
The BCCI on the eve of day 3 confirmed that Ravichandran Ashwin has asked for an immediate leave from the 3rd Test in Rajkot in order to attend a medical emergency within his family. Later it was disclosed by Rajeev Shukla that Ashwin’s mother had gone ill and that the veteran off-spinner was asked to come over as soon as possible.
“Ravichandran Ashwin has withdrawn from the Test squad, effective immediately due to a family medical emergency. In these challenging times, the BCCI and the team fully supports Ashwin. The BCCI extends its heartfelt support to the champion cricketer and his family.” – an official BCCI press released read.
“The health and well-being of the players and their loved ones are of utmost importance. The Board requests respect for the privacy of Ashwin and his family as they navigate through this challenging time. The Board and the team will continue to provide any necessary assistance to Ashwin and will keep the lines of communication open to offer support as needed.” – the release concluded.
Therefore, Ashwin after scalping his 500th Test wicket for India by getting the wicket of Zak Crawley in the 2nd innings of the Test match, left Gujarat on a charter plane facilitated by Jay Shah. This piece of information was not known until Ravi Shastri said during commentary.
It was initially said that Ravichandran Ashwin would be missing out on the entirety of the 3rd Test with the team management entrusting Devdutt Padikkal to go on and field for his absence as according to ICC rulebooks, a substitute replacement is only eligible to field, not bat or ball.
However, Ashwin after leaving at the conclusion of day 2, has returned to Rajkot, unknown whether he took the same charter flight or not but his return is definitely a piece of good news for the Rohit Sharma-led Indian team.
On Sunday morning, the BCCI took to its website and put out another press release that read, “BCCI is pleased to announce the return of R Ashwin to the squad after a brief absence due to a family emergency.” – the release said.
“Jay Shah had arranged”, Ravi Shastri applauds BCCI secretary for helping out Ravichandran Ashwin
During commentary on day 4, Shastri told his fellow co-commentators about the priceless gesture from Jay Shah to help out Ravichandran Ashwin during his tough times. “BCCI secretary Jay Shah had arranged a charter plane for Ashwin’s trip home and back.” – Shastri said via Jio Cinema.
Meanwhile, the Indians have the 3rd Test match pretty much in their grip as half of the English batting line-up has been sent back to the pavilion with homeboy Jadeja picking up 3 wickets while Bumrah and Kuldeep have accounted for a wicket each.