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Hours afte r celebrating the momentous milestone of scalping 500 wickets in test cricket by dismissing Zak Crawley in the first innings, Ravichandran Ashwin opted out from the third Test against England due to a family emergency. As per the BCCI, Ashwin withdrew with immediate effect and rushed to Chennai to be with his family.
Initially, BCCI didn’t state the exact reason for Ashwin’s exit, but later, Rajeev Shukla, Vice-President, confirmed that Ashwin’s mother needed medical attention and hence he rushed to be with his family. After his departure, the cricket fraternity divided into whether India could field a like-for-like substitute for the star player. Some veterans suggested the rule book doesn’t allow them to do so, while others stated that they can do so on the opposition captain and management's approval.
Can Ashwin’s replacement bat or bowl in 3rd Test?
With India set to field a substitute fielder, in the absence of the legendary spinner, the question arises is whether the substitute player can bat or bowl in the second innings. Let us take, a look at the MCC rule book and what it says about the replacement of a player from the ongoing test match.
24.1 Substitute fielders
24.1.1 The umpires shall allow a substitute fielder
24.1.1.1 if they are satisfied that a fielder has been injured or become ill and that this occurred during the match, or
24.1.1.2 for any other wholly acceptable reason.
In all other circumstances, a substitute is not allowed.
24.1.2 A substitute shall not bowl or act as captain but may act as wicketkeeper only with the consent of the umpires.
24.1.3 A nominated player may bowl or field even though a substitute has previously acted for him/her, subject to 24.2, 24.3, and Law 42.4 (Level 3 offences and action by umpires).
According to Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC), a substitute player can play with the consent of an umpire if a player gets ill or injured. However, in this case, neither Ashwin is injured nor ill so the substitute player cannot bat or bowl in this match.
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