Ravichandran Ashwin to be replaced? Here is what the rules state about substitute player as spinner withdraws from Rajkot Test

India will be without their star spinner Ravichandran Ashwin for the remaining three days of the ongoing third Test against England in Rajkot. The veteran spinner withdrew from the Test squad after the second day’s play due to a family medical emergency, the BCCI announced on Friday (February 16).

While the BCCI did not disclose the reason, its vice-president Rajeev Shukla revealed that Ravichandran Ashwin’s mother is not well. Missing Ravichandran Ashwin will be a huge blow for Team India especially after the kind of start England have made with the bat in their first innings.

Replying to India’s first innings total of 445, England raced away to 207/2 in just 35 overs. After India’s pacers as well as Kuldeep Yadav were taken to the cleaners by the English openers, Ravichandran Ashwin gave the team the much-needed first breakthrough by dismissing the in-form Zak Crawley in his second over. However, he will take no further part in the remainder of the Test.

Will there be any replacement for Ravichandran Ashwin?

With Ravichandran Ashwin out of the Test, the fans must have been wondering if the Indian team would be permitted to have a replacement for him. Well, according to the rules, India have no option but to play the remainder of the game with just 10 men,

According to the laws of the game, the umpires can allow a substitute fielder if they are satisfied that a player has been injured or become ill during the contest. Rule No. 24.1.1.2 states that a team can have a substitute fielder for a ‘wholly acceptable reason’. The substitute fielder, however, is not allowed to bat or bowl in the game. However, he can ply his trade as a wicketkeeper if the umpires permit.

Since Ravichandran Ashwin did not get injured or fell ill, India will be allowed to have a substitute fielder in the game only with the consent of opposition skipper Ben Stokes. At present, only concussion substitutes are allowed to bat and ball in the game.