"My Bowling Overseas Has Been...": Ravichandran Ashwin Breaks Silence On WTC Final Snub

16.06.2023 - 05:08 sports.ndtv.com

Ravichandran Ashwin, the No. 1 Test bowler in the world, couldn't find a place in the Indian team's playing XI for the World Test Championship final against Australia.

For many, Ashwin's absence from the team was one of the biggest reasons behind India's defeat in the final. The off-spinner, who himself is one of his biggest critics, opened up on the heartbreaking decision by the team management, admitting that he would've loved to feature in the title-decider.

In an interview with the Indian Express, Ashwin said he absolutely wanted to play in the final as he has played a part in helping the team get to that stage. "It's a hard question to answer, right?

Because we are standing right after the WTC Final. I would have loved to play because I have played a part in us getting there.

cricket Australia Cricket Team India Cricket Team on Ravichandran Ashwin Australia India

The International Cricket Council (ICC) announced the schedule for the 2023 ODI World Cup earlier this week. The mega event is set to begin with an England vs New Zealand clash on October 05 at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad while the Indian team will begin its campaign against Australia at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai on October 8. The much-awaited clash between arch-rivals India and Paksitan is scheduled to take place on the 15th of October in Ahmedabad.

As Ahmedabad Hosts India-Pakistan World Cup Clash, Ravichandran Ashwin Explains Why It'll Be Catch-22 Situation

The schedule for the upcoming ODI World Cup in India was announced earlier this week by the International Cricket Council (ICC). The tournament will kick off on October 5 with defending champions England taking on New Zealand at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, in what will be the repeat of the 2019 World Cup final. However, all eyes will be on the blockbuster clash between India and Pakistan at the same venue on October 15. India all-rounder Ravichandran Ashwin shared his views on the blockbuster match against arch rivals Pakistan.

"When I Looked At Virat Kohli...": Ravichandran Ashwin On That T20 WC 2022 Knock vs Pakistan

The ODI World Cup schedule was announced earlier this week and the blockbuster clash between arch-rivals India and Pakistan will once again be the one to watch out for. India and Pakistan are scheduled to square off at the Narendra Modi Stadium on October 15. Both teams had met during the T20 World Cup last year in Australia, with India edging out Pakistan at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, thanks to Virat Kohli's marathon knock. With the focus firmly on the blockbuster clash in Ahmedabad, Ashwin recalled the mid-pitch conversation between him and Kohli during the win over Pakistan last year.

Why Ravichandran Ashwin 'Cursed' Dinesh Karthik In T20 WC Game vs Pakistan? Star Reveals

The T20 World Cup match between India and Pakistan last year can be regarded one of the finest clashes ever played between the two rivals. Playing at the jam-packed Melbourne Cricket Ground, India were given a target of 160 in 20 overs and it was star batter Virat Kohli, who became the show-stopper and took India across the line with his unbeaten knock of 82 off 53 balls. With 16 needed off the last over, India lost two wickets in the form of Hardik Pandya and Dinesh Karthik. It was then Ravichandran Ashwin who came up and scored the winning run on the last ball of the match.

"5 Close Friends...": Ravi Shastri On Ravichandran Ashwin's "Teammates Are Colleagues" Take

Indian cricket team spinner Ravichandran Ashwin recently opened up about a variety of topics following the team's loss against Australia in the World Test Championship (WTC) Final. In one of his comments, Ashwin said that there are very less number of 'friends' in the Indian dressing room right now and most of them are 'colleagues'. The remark resulted in mixed reactions from experts and fans with most of them wondering about the equations shared by the cricketers at present. Former India head coach Ravi Shastri was asked about the remark and he had a rather straight forward answer in a recent interaction.

Ravichandran Ashwin's Message For Yashasvi Jaiswal And Ruturaj Gaikwad After Test Call-Up Wins Internet

Yashasvi Jaiswal and Ruturaj Gaikwad were among the top performers in this year's Indian Premier League (IPL) and their consistency was rewarded on Friday as both youngsters were picked in the India squad for the two-match Test series against West Indies. While Jaiswal was just part of the Test squad, Gaikwad was also included in the ODI squad. Veteran India skipper Ravichandran Ashwin took to Twitter to post a heartfelt message for both the youngsters after their maiden call-up to the Indian cricket team.