Rules Explained: Who will replace Ashwin as India faces dilemma on Day 3 in IND vs ENG?

After the sudden withdrawal of Ravichandran Ashwin in the ongoing third Test between India and England, Devdutt Padikkal was added as the substitute player to continue the proceedings on Day 3 at the Niranjan Shah Stadium in Rajkot. However, according to law, Padikkal is not allowed to either bat or bowl. 

What is stated in the law? 

According to the  Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) playing conditions, a substitute fielder is not allowed to bat or bowl. However, he can keep wickets with the umpire's consent. Notably, the left-handed batter came as the replacement for KL Rahul, who ruled out from the third Test. 

England's skipper and team management's approval needed

Rohit's men are not allowed to bring a replacement for Ashwin in the ongoing match. The MCC law states that no player can be substituted after the nomination without the opposition's skipper's consent. It means if India formally requests from England skipper Ben Stokes and team management and gets their approval. Washington Sundar or Axar Patel could replace Ashwin in the playing XI. Following the approval they can bat or bowl from second innings. 

The MCC law says, "No player may be replaced after the nomination without the consent of the opposing captain. Any replacement player shall be considered the same player as the nominated player he/she replaced for the purposes of these Laws. A replacement shall not bat in an innings in which the nominated player he/she is replacing has completed his/her innings."

However, it's unlikely to happen as the same has never been exercised in any game. 

Why did Aswhin withdraw from ongoing match of IND vs ENG?

India's star spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has withdrawn from the ongoing third Test against England due to a family emergency. The BCCI informed about Ashwin's decision in a media release on Friday night at Saurashtra Cricket Association Stadium in Rajkot. 

R Ashwin withdraws from the 3rd India-England Test due to family emergency.

In these challenging times, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and the team fully supports Ashwin.https://t.co/U2E19OfkGR

— BCCI (@BCCI) February 16, 2024

The press release reads, "Ravichandran Ashwin has withdrawn from the Test squad, effective immediately due to a family medical emergency." The BCCI affirmed their support for the veteran player. 

Furthermore, the BCCI requested respect for the privacy of Ashwin and his family as they navigate through this challenging time.