RAVI ASHWIN withdrew from the Third Test on the day he became the ninth bowler to reach 500 Test wickets.

The Indian spinner exited the match with immediate effect because of a “family emergency.”

A statement from the Indian Board, issued at 11pm in Rajkot, said: “The health and well-being of the players and their loved ones are of utmost importance.

“The BCCI extends heartfelt support to the champion cricketer and his family.”

If Ashwin does not return, India will be allowed a sub fielder but cannot replace his bowling or batting.

The drama came after Ashwin had Zak Crawley caught at short fine leg for 15 from a top-edged sweep to get to 500.

He is only the second bowler after Sri Lanka’s Muttiah Muralitharan to reach the milestone in fewer than 100 matches.

Ashwin takes his wickets at 23.95 apiece – lower even than the legendary Shane Warne, whose 708 Test victims came at an average of 25.41. Murali tops the list with 800 wickets at 22.72.

In Ashwin’s career, India have taken 1,655 wickets, meaning Ashwin has been responsible for more than 30 per cent of his team’s total.

The opponent he has dismissed most is Ben Stokes, who has succumbed 12 times. 

Ashwin, 37, is articulate and intelligent but an ultra-competitor on the field.

He handed England five penalty runs for running on the pitch.

India are already without star batsman Virat Kohli, who is missing the entire five-Test series for personal reasons.