Ravichandran Ashwin to come back and ‘bowl straightaway’ in 3rd Test? Dinesh Karthik gives massive update

In a big update for Team India, Ravichandran Ashwin, who left the England series midway due to a family emergency, could come back and ‘bowl straightaway’ in the ongoing match. The veteran spinner played the first two days of the Rajkot Test but flew back to Chennai on Friday due to his mother’s illness.

Ashwin’s absence created a major concern in the Indian camp ahead of the third day’s play. Many questions were raised as to whether the 37-year-old will be able to play the rest of the match at the Niranjan Shah Stadium. According to reports, senior India wicketkeeper-batter Dinesh Karthik confirmed that Ashwin has received clearance from the umpires to participate in the remainder of the third Test.

“Ravi Ashwin can come anytime during this Test Match and bowl straightaway. The umpires have given Ashwin that favor,” Karthik, who is doing commentary for the ongoing match, said on air.

This means Ashwin can rejoin the team at any stage of the match and be allowed to bat or bowl. However, it is not sure whether he will return for the ongoing innings or will have to wait till the fourth innings to get the services of the spin wizard.

India manage to dominate despite Ashwin’s absence in the attack

Ashwin, who scripted history on Day 2 by entering the 500 Test wicket club, was replaced on the field by uncapped player Devdutt Padikkal. However, the Karnataka cricketer is not allowed to bat or bowl in the ongoing Test. The hosts were expected to take a back seat in the absence of their frontline spinner. But other bowlers stepped in to counter Bazball.

England started smelling danger when they lost Joe Root and Jonny Bairstow in quick succession. Kuldeep Yadav, who dismissed centurion Ben Duckett and captain Ben Stokes, turned the first innings completely in India’s favour. Mohammed Siraj was also impressive with his four-wicket haul. The visitors were bowled out for 319 to trail by 126 runs.