The Ultimate Test: Ravichandran Ashwin Ignored
India and Australia were set to face off in the World Test Championship Final at The Oval. With an overcast sky and green pitch, the conditions were perfect for a pace-friendly game. Thus, Rohit Sharma opted to leave out Ravichandran Ashwin, the world’s number one bowler, and chose to play four seamers instead.
Early Success for India
The decision seemed to pay off in the first hour of the match, as Mohammed Shami and Mohammed Siraj made the Dukes ball swing and seam. They were able to dismiss Usman Khawaja early on, while David Warner and Marnus Labuschagne had a few close calls.
Sun Comes Out, India Regret Decisions
As the sun came out, India were left regretting their decision to leave out Ashwin. The conditions were no longer favourable for the seamers, and Ashwin’s spin could have been used to great effect.
Conclusion
In the end, India’s decision to leave out Ravichandran Ashwin cost them dearly in the WTC Final. The conditions changed drastically from the start of the match, and Ashwin’s spin could have been used to great effect. Rohit Sharma will certainly have to reconsider his choices in the future.