Ravichandran Ashwin Recovers From COVID-19, Joins Team India Ahead Of Leicestershire Warm-Up game

23.06.2022 - 17:25 sports.ndtv.com

The Indian cricket team got some good news ahead of the warm-up game against Leicestershire on Thursday as veteran off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin joined the side after recovering from COVID-19.

The Indian team had left for UK on June 16 but the spinner was not part of the contingent as he was in quarantine after his test result returned positive for COVID-19.

In 86 Tests, Ashwin has taken 442 wickets and he is expected to be a crucial cog in the Rohit Sharma-led Indian team's fortunes.

The BCCI tweeted an image of the spinner in a team huddle ahead of the warm-up game in Leicester. The spinner was named in the XI.

cricket England Cricket Team 2022 Britain India Birmingham

Ravichandran Ashwin was not part of the India playing XI for the ongoing rescheduled fifth Test against England in Birmingham, but the veteran spinner still found ways to enthrall the Edgbaston crowd. During the lunch break on Day 4 of the Edgbaston Test, Ashwin was seen doing some fielding drills. During one catching drill, Ashwin took a sensational one-handed grab with the fans in the stands cheering him on. After completing the catch, Ashwin even celebrated, driving the crowd even more mad as they cheered for him vociferously.

"Who Made The Call": Ex-Pakistan Star Questions Ravichandran Ashwin's Omission From India Playing XI For Edgbaston Test

Having been in control for much of the ongoing rescheduled fifth Test against England at Edgbaston, India found themselves on the back foot at stumps on Day 4. Apart from Cheteshwar Pujara and Rishabh Pant, the Indian batting failed to come to the party in the second innings, and were bowled out for 245, setting England a target of 378 runs to win the fifth Test. Despite the batters' failings in the second innings, India still would have been quietly confident with England needing to chase over 350 runs to win the match -- a feat that has never been accomplished at Edgbaston.

Rohit Sharma Starts Net Practice After Recovering From COVID-19: Report

It was a huge relief for Indian fans as Rohit Sharma went on to hit the nets to practise after recovering from COVID-19. The Indian skipper was supposed to play the fifth and final rescheduled Test match at the Edgbaston cricket stadium in Birmingham starting July 1 but could not do so after being diagnosed with COVID-19.

India vs England, 5th Test: Ravichandran Ashwin a victim of circumstances or conditions?

Ashwin finds himself out in the cold againThey say the more things change, the more they stay the same. One can apply that theory to the way Ravichandran Ashwin's spot becomes so dispensable every time India play in an away Test in SENA countries. Like the previous four Tests in the series against England in the UK, contested last year, he was left out again as India chose a four-pronged seam attack and the lone spinner's spot went to left-arm spinner Ravindra Jadeja. Former England captain Michael Vaughan tweeted his disgust in one sentence: "No @ashwinravi99!!!Ridiculous."

India Playing XI vs England 5th Test: Cheteshwar Pujara To Open, Ravindra Jadeja Picked Over Ravichandran Ashwin

The India vs England 5th Test is about to get underway at Edgbaston in Birmingham and the tourists have been put in to bat by skipper Ben Stokes after winning the toss. India have gone in with a 4-man pace attack with Shardul Thakur playing as the fast bowling all-rounder. In a big decision India have decided leave out Ravichandran Ashwin as they have picked Ravindra Jadeja in the playing XI.