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“I hope this does not backfire for India”, Twitter reacts as Ravichandran Ashwin not playing in the WTC final

Photo of Rohit Sarkar Rohit SarkarJune 7, 2023
91 2 minutes read
"I hope this does not backfire for India", Twitter reacts as Ravichandran Ashwin not playing in the WTC final

In a surprising development, Ravichandran Ashwin, India’s No. 1 ranked bowler and No. 2 ranked all-rounder in MRF Tyres ICC Test Rankings, will not play in the final match of the second edition of the ICC World Test Championship. Despite the initial shock this news may have brought to cricket fans, this isn’t the first time India has made such a move.

At the toss, India’s captain Rohit Sharma made a strategic decision to bowl first. This decision, he said, was influenced by the overcast conditions at Kennington Oval. Speaking to Star Sports Network, Sharma stated, “We are going to bowl. The conditions and also the weather being overcast. The pitch won’t change too much.”

It’s been three months since India’s last Test match, and changes were made to the Playing XI for this highly anticipated final. In addition to Ashwin, batter Shreyas Iyer and all-rounder Axar Patel also find themselves out of the lineup.

In their place, batter Ajinkya Rahane, all-rounder Shardul Thakur, and fast bowler Mohammed Siraj have been included in the Playing XI. The inclusion of these players shows India’s strategic flexibility and willingness to adapt to current conditions.

Ravichandran Ashwin not playing in the WTC final

The exclusion of Ashwin, in particular, may be surprising to some given his high-ranking status. However, decisions like these are part of the intricate strategy of cricket. As a team, India must balance numerous factors to construct the most effective Playing XI for each match.

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Indeed, these decisions might also reflect the particular characteristics of the Kennington Oval pitch and the atmospheric conditions. Sharma’s choice to bowl first under the overcast conditions hints at the team’s adaptation to the environment.

To conclude, the decision to exclude Ravichandran Ashwin in the World Test Championship final might seem surprising. Yet, it’s indicative of the strategic planning that goes into each match. As cricket fans watch the Indian team navigate this all-important final, they’ll undoubtedly be curious to see how these changes play out on the field. Regardless of the outcome, it’s sure to be an engaging and exciting match to watch.

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Photo of Rohit Sarkar Rohit SarkarJune 7, 2023
91 2 minutes read
Photo of Rohit Sarkar

Rohit Sarkar

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