Ravichandran Ashwin was on the bench as Ravindra Jadeja made it to the Indian team for the World Test Championship final against Australia.
Indian off-spinner and a match-winner in his own right, Ravichandran Ashwin has never shied away from giving frank opinions. One such matter that has stayed with him is being dropped from the Test team for away tours. Despite holding a decent batting average and an ability to win matches, Ashwin has played second-fiddle to Ravindra Jadeja whenever it comes to playing Tests in SENA countries.
During the WTC 2023 Final, Ashwin was dropped from the playing XI despite the The Oval deck assisting the spinners. While Ashwin was prepared for the grand occasion, it was 'Jaddu' who made it into the playing XI and take the sole spinner's spot. When quizzed about it, Ashwin said that he wasn't keen on finding out an answer as the selection onus wasn't in his hands.
"How can I find an answer for that...It is foolish of me to try and think why it happened and how it could have been better. The other way of looking at it is 'how many have played 94 Tests?'
I am glad that I have been able to do that. It has so happened in recent times that the two quality spinners are Ravindra Jadeja and me and fortunately or unfortunately, both can bat. Jadeja's batting form has been very good and that is why he has got the nod.
I can't put a finger and I don't want to try and find out why I got dropped because that is again not in my control...," he said in an interview with the Times of India.
Ashwin said that even if he isn't a part of the team, he wants India to win.
"Ever since 2018-19, when I went through a mental and physical switch, I tried not to sit behind negativity. I have found myself in a state of contribution when I am in the dressing room.
If my ego is too high, I become the biggest white elephant in the dressing-room and I don't want to become that. If I am playing, I am playing to win, if I am not, I cheer for India to win," added the veteran off-spinner."