Former India opener Wasim Jaffer lamented the fact that Indian team management chose to overlook the importance of Ravi Ashwin in the WTC 2023 final against Australia and left him out of the playing XI for the summit clash which began on June 7.
Rohit Sharma won the toss and chose to bowl first under overcast conditions and thanks to them, India went with Shardul Thakur as the fourth pacer with Mohammad Shami, Mohammed Siraj, and Umesh Yadav, with Ravindra Jadeja being the sole spinner in the side.
Ashwin is third on the list of the highest wicket-takers during the WTC 2021-23 cycle with 61 wickets to his name. The off-spinner is also the No.1 ranked bowler in the ICC Test rankings. Ashwin had tormented Australia earlier in the year during the Border-Gavaskar trophy as he picked up 25 wickets and shared the Player Of The Series award with Ravindra Jadeja.
A Wicketless Session Doesn’t Hurt As Much When It’s Gone For 90-100 Runs: Wasim Jaffer
Though India managed to get rid of Usman Khawaja for a duck, caught behind by Bharat off Mohammed Siraj and then David Warner who battled well for 40-odd runs, was also caught behind off Shardul Thakur.
Marnus Labuschagne did well for his 26 runs but was bowled by Mohammad Shami just after lunch, leaving Australia 76/3.
But then Travis Head took the aggressive route and began belting Indian bowlers to all parts of the Oval ground, while Steve Smith dropped anchor. The duo added 251* runs for the fourth wicket with Head remaining unbeaten on 14
6 at the end of day 1’s play, while Smith is on 95 runs.
Jadeja failed to contain the flow of runs and many missed Ravi Ashwin’s control and containing abilities. Jaffer highlight the same by saying that India gave away too many runs in the last session without taking a wicket.
“Partnerships are bound to happen but you still have to restrict the scoring by bowling tight lines. A wicketless session doesn’t hurt as much when it’s gone for 90-100 runs and not 147 which Ind gave in the final session yesterday. Goes without saying Ashwin was missed.” He tweeted.
Partnerships are bound to happen but you still have to restrict the scoring by bowling tight lines. A wicketless session doesn’t hurt as much when it’s gone for 90-100 runs and not 147 which Ind gave in the final session yesterday. Goes without saying Ashwin was missed. #WTCFinal
— Wasim Jaffer (@WasimJaffer14) June 8, 2023