Revealed: Why Ravi Ashwin isn't included in India's playing XI in ICC WTC final vs Australia

Ravi Ashwin has been left out of India's playing XI in the ICC WTC final against Australia.

To create history, India and Australia are playing in the World Test Championship 2021-23 final at The Oval in England. India have won the toss and elected to bowl in slightly overcast and bowling-friendly conditions. Captain Rohit Sharma called the toss correctly and invited Australia to bat first. After much discussion about the playing eleven, India have gone with only one spinner and have left Ravi Ashwin in the dressing room. Team management gave Ravindra Jadeja an opportunity as an all-rounder and a lone spinner in the playing eleven to take on Australia. In place of Aswhin, India have picked Shardul Thakur as an extra pacer and also someone who can contribute in the lower order.

'Tough to leave Ashwin out'

The Indian Team management had a rigorous debate around their playing eleven, especially about Ravi Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja. Captain Rohit Sharma said at the toss, “It is tough to leave Ashwin out, He has been a match-winner for us over the course of so many years. But you got to do things that are needed for the team and eventually we came up with that decision”. R Ashwin is India’s leading wicket-taker in the World Test Championship. He has been a match-winner for India on several occasions but considering the Oval wicket and bowling conditions, team management gave lower-order batting and pace bowling an extra advantage over an extra spinner.

Team India are going in with Mohammed Siraj, Mohammed Shami, Umesh Yadav, and Shardul Thakur in the pace bowling attack. KS Bharat will be taking responsibility behind the stumps. Australia suffered a massive setback just two days before the game. Josh Hazlewood was ruled out, and Scott Boland has replaced Hazlewood in the playing XI. Boland has been outstanding for the Aussies in Australia. Australian captain Pat Cummins also said that he would have also bowled first in the given conditions and wicket. According to the Australian captain, Scott Boland will be their key weapon against the Indian batting line-up.

India Playing XI

Shubman Gill, Rohit Sharma ©, Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli, Ajinkya Rahane, KS Bharat (wk), Ravindra Jadeja, Shardul Thakur, Umesh Yadav, Mohammed Shami, Mohammed Siraj

Australia Playing XI

David Warner, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith, Travis Head, Cameron Green, Alex Carey (wk), Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Scott Boland