IND vs ENG: Can anyone replace Ravi Ashwin in playing XI of the 3rd test? Rules explained

Ravi Ashwin was forced to withdraw from ongoing third test due to family emergency.

The Indian cricket team will have to manage with only four bowlers in the ongoing third test match between India and England at the Niranjan Shah Stadium, Rajkot.

After the end of day 2 play, Rohit Sharma-led India were hit by a massive blow as their veteran off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin was forced to withdraw and fly back to Chennai due to his mother’s illness on Friday, February 16. However, the replacement for the premier off-spinner, Ashwin, for the ongoing Rajkot test was not announced by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).

“Ravichandran Ashwin has withdrawn from the Test squad, effective immediately due to a family medical emergency. In these challenging times, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and the team fully supports Ashwin,” the statement from BCCI read.

Wishing speedy recovery of mother of @ashwinravi99 . He has to rush and leave Rajkot test to Chennai to be with his mother . @BCCI

— Rajeev Shukla (@ShuklaRajiv) February 16, 2024

“The BCCI extends its heartfelt support to the champion cricketer and his family. 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,” it added.

“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. Team India appreciates the understanding and empathy of the fans and media during this sensitive period,” the board further clarified.

Will India play with 10 players?

As Ravichandran Ashwin withdrew from the ongoing Rajkot test against England, several questions were raised whether India may seek a replacement for the senior off-spinner in the playing XI or not.

In the past, there have been instances of substitutes taking a place in the playing XI when a player was taken out due to concussion protocols.

A concussion substitute means there should be a like-for-like replacement, and the player is allowed to bat or bowl. Since the Indian veteran off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin’s situation is not a case of a concussion, do the MCC laws allow India to make a substitution to replace Ashwin in the playing XI or not?

What does the MCC law says?

As per the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) laws, Indian cricket team will be allowed a substitute fielder for the rest of the game in Ashwin’s place. However, as per the MCC Law 24.1.2 no replacement will be made which means, the replacing player will not be allowed to bat or ball during the test match.

The replacement as per the current rules can only be implement when the match officials can allowed in case of concussion or COVID-19 (if it’s still the case since many players have featured in the games despite testing positive).

However, there’s a provision in the MCC Law that also allows a captain to replace a player already named in the side if the opposition skipper allows to do it. According to MCC Law 1.2.2, “No player may be replaced after the nomination without the consent of the opposing captain.”

There’s a provision in the law that allows a skipper to replace a player already named in the side if the opposition captain allows it, as per MCC Law 1.2.2. Hence, in Ashwin’s case, India could only replace the senior off-spinner if a player was nominated before the toss of the ongoing third test match for a scenario like this, but with the permission of the English skipper Ben Stokes.

However, Ashwin’s replacement seems unlikely now as after the start of day 3 play of the ongoing Rajkot test, Devdutt Padikkal has come on as a substitute fielder in place of Ravichandran Ashwin. It is to be seen if Ravichandran Ashwin will be available for selection for the final two tests in Ranchi and Dharamsala or not.

Meanwhile, Ashwin became second Indian bowler after Anil Kumble to pick 500 or more wickets in test cricket after dismissing England’s Zak Crawley in the first innings on Friday.

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