Mindgames from Australia? Australia coach Daniel Vettori feels Ravi Ashwin will miss India's XI for ICC WTC final

Ravi Ashwin has total of 18 wickets at an average of 28.11 in seven Tests in England.

Australian head coach Daniel Vettori feels that ace India spinner Ravichandran Ashwin might miss out on playing in the upcoming ICC WTC 2023 final in case of Indian team management decide to go with four pacers and one spinners combo.

Australia and India will clash in the second ICC World Test Championship final at the Oval from June 7-11 in what will be India’s second appearance in the summit clash.

Incidentally, the two sides clashed before the IPL 2023, when Australia visited India for the four-Test Border-Gavaskar Trophy in which the hosts won 2-1 with Ashwin (25 wickets) and Jadeja (22) shinning bright to help their side claim a series win.

Talking to local media prior to Australia’s training session at the Kent County Cricket Ground on Thursday, assistant coach Daniel Vettori said the team management had a lot of discussion about India’s probable bowling attack.

“We have been debating that. I think Jadeja will play because of the batting he brings to the table and how successful he has been at that No.6 position. Then the question will be around that fourth seamer and the all-rounder in (Shardul) Thakur and Ashwin, but they are (both) pretty good choices,” he was quoted as saying by PTI.

The experienced off-spinner Ravi Ashwin has a total of 18 wickets at an average of 28.11 from seven matches in England but has played just one Test at The Oval.

He will be the first choice in most teams: Daniel Vettori on Ravi Ashwin missing out on WTC final

Interestingly, Ravi Ashwin was part of the Indian squad which visited for the five-Test series in England in 2021 under Virat Kohli’s leadership. However, the Kohli- Ravi Shastri management decided to pick Ravindra Jadeja over Ravi Ashwin, who warmed the bench throughout the series.

Ashwin wasn’t even picked in the rescheduled fifth Test in 2022 and keeping that in mind, Vettori said that the Tamil Nadu tweaker might miss out again due to team combination.

“Ashwin is an incredible bowler and he will be first choice in most teams, and just with their combinations it may lead to that (him missing selection). We expect The Oval to behave how it always behaves. It is a good wicket, but it can offer a lot to the spinners as the game goes on,” Vettori said.