Written by Vaibhav Tripathi
Even as the debates continue to rage over his exclusion from the playing XI for the World Test Championship (WTC) final defeat to Australia at The Oval, R Ashwin, India’s premier spinner, has refused to fan the flames by criticising the team management’s decision.
“I would have loved to play because I have played a part in us getting there,” Ashwin told The Indian Express. “Even in the last final, I got four wickets and bowled really well.”
It’s a reality, however, that Ashwin has usually been the one to make way when India venture overseas. He has now missed all six of India’s last six Tests in England. “Ever since 2018-19, my bowling overseas has been fantastic and I have managed to win games for the team,” said Ashwin. “I am looking at it as a captain or coach, and I’m just talking in hindsight, in their defence.
“So, the last time we were in England, it was 2-2 with a drawn Test, and they would have felt four pacers and one spinner is the combination in England. That is what they might have thought going into the final. The problem is for a spinner to come into play, it must be the fourth innings. The fourth innings is a very crucial facet, and for us to be able to put that amount of runs so the spinner can come into play, it’s completely a mindset thing.”