‘I would have loved to play in WTC final against Australia, but knew I was going to be left out 48 hours before’: Ravi Ashwin

Ravichandran Ashwin, currently the top-ranked Test bowler in the world, has opened up about his exclusion from the Indian XI for the highly anticipated World Test Championship final (WTC Final) against Australia. Ashwin recently disclosed that he was informed 48 hours prior to the crucial match at The Oval in London that he would not be part of the playing XI.

Expressing his eagerness to contribute to the team’s victory and be a part of the historic moment, Ashwin, who has enjoyed significant success against Australia both at home and away, was understandably keen on featuring in the final. However, he mentally prepared himself to support the team in whichever way possible and ensure their success, considering the substantial role he played in India’s journey to the WTC final.

During an interview, Ashwin shed light on his understanding of the team management’s decision to exclude him from the WTC 2023 final. While expressing his disappointment at not being able to play, he emphasized his previous contributions to the team’s success. Ashwin believed that the team management might have opted for a four-pacer and one-spinner combination based on the learnings from their past tour. He explained that the impact of a spinner is typically witnessed during the fourth innings, where the team needs to have a substantial number of runs on the scoreboard to support the spinner’s effectiveness.

Despite acknowledging his exclusion from the highly anticipated WTC 2023 final, Ashwin maintained his desire to be part of the team’s victory. He comprehended the team management’s decision, although he believed that his presence as a spinner could have made a significant difference. Demonstrating maturity and sportsmanship, Ashwin congratulated his teammates and support staff following the conclusion of the match.