It all comes down to the question of why the world’s number one test bowler was not included in the ICC World Test Championship final in 2023. Experts are shocked by the only reason to believe that one spinner could make it to the pitch of The Oval, and that was Jadeja. However, excluding Ashwin is something that no one is willing to accept, especially fans.
The 36-year-old off-spinner got India 4 wickets in the last one-off test match they played in 2021 versus New Zealand. India was on the losing side, but Ashwin proved that it was possible for him to get wickets on any condition. Plus, his performance overseas has improved tremendously since 2018. Not just that, his right-handed batting skills have boosted his role as an all-rounder.
Rohit Sharma said in a media conference that it was indeed a tough choice since only one of them could make it to the Top 11.
Figures of Ashwin in the test format as a bowler are 474 wickets in 174 innings. As a batter, he has contributed a total of 3129 runs in 131 innings, with 124 being the highest score so far. His role in the ICC T20 World Cup match against Pakistan as a bowler may be what one may overlook. The single ball played against Mohammad Nawaz has to be noted as it shows his presence of mind. Missing that one ball gave India a single run for wide to bring them to the same level for a tie. The last touch simply delivered the final hot blow to the opponents.
Understandably, the focus is on the test format. Highlighting that innings is important because Ashwin is indeed more than just a player on the pitch. The guy has a mind with the capacity to function in two different stages – defense and strategic aggression.
Rohit-led Indian side missed that in the hope of securing the world’s best fielder in the final of ICC WTC 2023.
Ashwin talked to the media and said that there is no regret or hatred toward anyone in the management. He does miss grabbing the chance of bringing an ICC title back home. Ashwin stated that he was able to take 4 wickets in the previous WTC final, adding that he focused on making sure that there was some help for other playing members.
To paint a picture from the recent test, Ashwin was responsible for claiming 25 wickets in four matches during this year’s Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
Many former players and experts have come to his support. Ashwin had said that he was really happy with all the text messages that he received from them, including those whom he had been idealizing before he began his journey as a professional cricketer.
Ashwin said that what made him happy were their sentiments, expressing their confidence in him about how well he could have played in the final.
Ravindra Jadeja, who played instead of him, managed a single wicket at an economy of 3.11 through 18 overs in the first innings. The second innings were better for him, giving him three wickets in the name of Cameron Green, Travis Head, and Steve Smith. Not to forget, two of them destroyed the Indian bowling lineup in the first innings and changed the odds completely on best online betting sites for cricket.
Jadeja did prove his worth of being included in the squad. Having Ashwin could have inched them closer to the competition. Now that the match has been lost, India and experts can only discuss it to understand how well things would have worked out if Ashwin had been there.
