‘Even in last WTC final…’, R Ashwin opens up on World Test Championship final snub

Veteran Indian off-spinner R Ashwin has shared his thoughts on not being selected to play in the World Test Championship final against Australia. Ashwin revealed that he knew beforehand that he would not be part of the playing XI for the summit clash at The Oval in London in June. Despite his desire to contribute to the team’s success against Australia, Ashwin admitted that he was mentally prepared to support the team in any way and ensure their victory in the title clash. India went into the final of the WTC with four fast bowlers and a lone spinner, Ravindra Jadeja, which resulted in Ashwin being dropped from the playing XI despite his recent dominance against Australia.

No win without Ashwin!

No win without Ashwin!

Next time the management removes him without any reason, he will be paid for it.

This is a lesson for team management.

Make ‘R Ashwin’ the captain of the Test team for better results.

Ashwin is the goat of Test cricket.#WTCFinals pic.twitter.com/vFctJmgA6Y– Hitman (@Hitman_views) June 11, 2023

In an interview with The Indian Express, Ashwin explained how he took the team management’s decision to drop him for the crucial WTC 2023 final. He expressed his desire to play and highlighted his past performances saying, “… I would have liked to play because I played a part in getting there. Even in the last final, I took four wickets”. And bowled really well.” Ashwin also took a captain’s or coach’s approach, acknowledging the rationale behind the decision to prioritize four fast bowlers and one spinner based on the previous series in England. He stressed the importance of the fourth innings for the spinners to come into play, but opined that it ultimately depends on the mindset of the team to set targets that allow the spinners to make an impact.

This was not the first time that Ashwin was dropped from an important match in England. Although he played in the WTC 2021 final against New Zealand in Birmingham, he did not feature in any game during India’s tour of England in 2021-22 as the team found success with a combination of four pacers and Jadeja in the playing XI .

Talking about dealing with disappointment, Ashwin said, “The moment, the final got over, I made a tweet because I realized one thing that I need a finish. The moment I get a finish, I move on.” I can. No time to wander.” I have understood life much better now.” Ashwin clarified that he tweeted immediately after the final and asked to find closure and move on.

Some former cricketers including greats Sunil Gavaskar and Sachin Tendulkar questioned the Indian team management’s decision to drop R Ashwin from the playing XI. Ashwin played a key role in India winning the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in 2023 by taking 25 wickets in 4 Tests at an average of less than 18. Happily, it changes. Yes, every time, I get a text message from some former senior cricketers, I always get excited and reply immediately. It is because I have seen him as a youngster.”

R Ashwin has already put the WTC final disappointment behind him as he has moved on to play for Dindigul Dragons in TNPL 2023. Ashwin took 2 wickets to guide Dindigul to a big win over Ba11C Trichy in their TNPL outing in Coimbatore on Wednesday.