"Mistake..": Ricky Ponting lashes out at India for not picking Ravi Ashwin in WTC final playing XI

India left out senior most bowler Ravi Ashwin out of the playing XI against Australia in the ICC WTC final.

Former Australia captain Ricky Ponting has expressed his criticism towards Team India's decision of excluding Ravi Ashwin from their playing XI for the World Test Championship final. The highly anticipated clash between India and Australia in the second edition of the WTC final at Kennington Oval in England witnessed Indian skipper Rohit Sharma winning the toss and electing to field. However, Ponting was quick to point out the absence of Ashwin's name in the announced lineup, considering it a significant omission.

Ricky Ponting said, "there's going to be turn in this Oval pitch as the game progresses. Australia have many lefties in their lineup which Ravi Ashwin would've liked. I believe it was a mistake from India". (To ICC).

Rohit Sharma Explains Tough Decision to Exclude Ravi Ashwin from WTC Final Playing XI

In preparation for the WTC final, Indian captain Rohit Sharma provided insight into the difficult choice of excluding Ashwin from the playing XI. Rohit attributed this decision to the prevailing overcast conditions in England. Considering the weather conditions, India opted to field only one spinner. Rohit acknowledged that it wasn't an ideal situation to leave out Ashwin, but the team prioritized making the best decision for the match. The final team composition was determined based on the match day conditions, aligning with the earlier statement from head coach Rahul Dravid.

Head and Smith put Australia in control on Day 1 of WTC final

On the opening day of the ICC World Test Championship final against India at The Oval, Travis Head and Steve Smith showcased exceptional, undefeated performances that propelled Australia into a commanding position. Despite a shaky start with Australia at 76/3, Head's explosive century and Smith's resilient half-century steadied the innings and put their team in complete control.

Head's unbeaten knock of 146 runs was a display of sheer aggression and dominance, while Smith's resolute innings of 95 runs showcased his renowned ability to weather challenging situations. Their partnership not only stabilized the Australian innings but also propelled the team to a formidable total of 327/3 in 85 overs.