The World Test Championship (WTC) Final 2023 turned out to be yet another disappointment for Team India as they lost the summit clash to eventual champions Australia by 209 runs. The Indian side failed to excel in any of the departments and finished as the runner-up of the event for the second consecutive time. Notably, India also reached the inaugural WTC Final in 2021 but faced a defeat at the hands of New Zealand.
The loss of India in the WTC 2023 Final has raised many questions regarding the team selection, batting and bowling. However, what is being considered the major blunder and poor decision-making of the side is not including Ravichandran Ashwin in the playing eleven for the final. The greatest of all time, Sachin Tendulkar, also reflected on the same after the match was over and termed the decision of not adding Ashwin to the team bizarre.
Taking to his official Twitter handle, Sachin started by congratulating Australia on the win and then highlighted the impact of Ashwin’s absence. The 2011 World Cup Winner said that he failed to understand the decision to exclude a star off-spinner like that of Ashwin’s calibre. Sachin even emphasized the fact that the Aussie side had five left-handed batters in their line-up.
“Congratulations to Team Australia on winning the #WTCFinal. @stevesmith49 and @travishead34 set a solid foundation on Day one itself to tilt the game in their favour. India had to bat big in the first innings to stay in the game, but they couldn’t. There were some good moments for Team India, but I fail to understand the exclusion of @ashwinravi99 in the playing XI, who is currently the number one Test bowler in the world,” wrote Sachin.
“Like I had mentioned before the match, skillful spinners don’t always rely on turning tracks, they use drift in the air and bounce off the surface to disguise their variations. Not to forget, Australia had 5 left-handers out of their top 8 batters,” he added.
Congratulations to Team Australia on winning the #WTCFinal. @stevesmith49 and @travishead34 set a solid foundation on Day one itself to tilt the game in their favour. India had to bat big in the first innings to stay in the game, but they couldn’t. There were some good moments…
— Sachin Tendulkar (@sachin_rt) June 11, 2023
It is worth mentioning that Ashwin is currently the world no. 1 ranked Test bowler and has topped the chart of most wickets for India in the WTC 2021-23 cycle with 61 wickets from 13 matches.
Following the loss, the Tamil Nadu cricketer shared his first reaction as well. Ashwin congratulated Australia and acknowledged his teammates, coaching and support staff for their efforts and support.
“Congratulations Australia on winning this #WTCFinal and closing out this cycle of test cricket. It is disappointing to end up on the wrong side of things, nevertheless it was a great effort over the last 2 years or so to get here in the first place. Amidst all the chaos and scathing assessments, i feel it’s very important to acknowledge all my team mates who played in this cycle and most importantly the coaching and support staffs who have held on like a rock of support,” said Ashwin in his Tweet.
Congratulations Australia on winning this #WTCFinal and closing out this cycle of test cricket. It is disappointing to end up on the wrong side of things, nevertheless it was a great effort over the last 2 years or so to get here in the first place.
Amidst all the chaos and…
— Ashwin 🇮🇳 (@ashwinravi99) June 11, 2023
