Ravichandran Ashwin flew to Chennai by chartered flight arranged by BCCI secretary Jay Shah, reveals Ravi Shastri

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Ravichandran Ashwin left Rajkot for Chennai to attend his unwell mother in a chartered flight arranged by BCCI secretary Jay Shah, former India coach Ravi Shastri while commentating on Day 4 of the ongoing third Test against England at the Niranjan Shah Stadium.

The star off-spinner picked his 500th Test wicket on the second day of the Test, but had to rush back home to attend a family medical emergency. BCCI vice-president Rajeev Shukla revealed that the 37-year-old's mother was unwell.

Ashwin missed the entire Day 3 play as India wrapped up England's first innings at 319. However, in a good news for the Indian team and fans, the BCCI on Sunday revealed that Ashwin would be rejoining the squad for Day 4 play.

"The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is pleased to announce the return of R Ashwin to the squad after a brief absence due to a family emergency. Ashwin had to temporarily withdraw from the squad after Day 2 of the 3rd Test in Rajkot to attend to a family emergency," the BCCI said in a release.

"Both R Ashwin and the team management are pleased to confirm that he will be back in action on Day 4 and will continue to contribute towards the team's cause in the ongoing Test match," it added.

Ashwin was greeted by his teammates in the huddle before he resumed playing in the final session of the day. Ravi Shastri during his commentary stint lauded BCCI for its gesture of arranging charter flight to take him home, and bring him back on time for India's second bowling innings.

"The BCCI secretary Jay Shah organised a charter to take him home and bring him back. I think that's the kind of empathy that's needed from the BCCI as well. There are the guardians of Indian cricket and with this kind of empathy, they will go a long, long way. It also makes the players feel they belong and are special," Ravi Shastri said during his commentary stint on Day 4 of the Rajkot Test.

Ashwin was allowed to bowl without serving any penalty time as the umpires exempted him due to his unique case. Usually, a player not fielding during a match, is made to serve the penalty time before being allowed to bowl again.

Ashwin picked the wicket of Tom Hartley to reduce England to 91/9 while chasing mammoth 557-run target.