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'For Me, it's Not a setback, I'll Move on': Ravichandran Ashwin On WTC Final 2023 Snub

image-liy1jtutRavichandran Ashwin claimed 61 wickets in WTC Cycle 2021-2023 [Source: Twitter]

One of the most baffling decisions in recent times by Team India, was the benching of ace-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin from the playing XI against Australia in the all-important ICC World Test Championship (WTC) 2023 at The Oval last week. Fast-bowling all-rounder Shardul Thakur was picked ahead of Ashwin, who was India's leading wicket-taker in the WTC Cycle 2021-2023 with 61. 

The decision did not culminate into a good result as India went on to lose the match by a massive 209-run margin, with Australia's lone off-spinner Nathan Lyon claiming five wickets in the match. 

The 36-year-old currently playing in Tamil Nadu Premier League (TNPL) 2023 for Dindigul Dragons, speaking to Indian Express opened up about his snub for the WTC Final 2023. 

India's second-highest wicket-taker, Ashwin maintained that the omission was more of a 'stumbling block' than a setback. 

Here's what Ashwin said

"For me, it's not a setback. It's just a stumbling block, I'll move on because I have gone through that. When somebody knocks you down for the first time, you have a knee-jerk reaction. I think you should be knocked down once in a while along your life so that you are used to it and will know how to bounce back,”

Ashwin further dwelled on his performances for Team India in overseas conditions since 2018, and stated that he would have loved to feature in the final where India came second-best to Australia.

"I would have loved to play because I have played a part in us getting there. Even in the last final I got four wickets and bowled really well. Ever since 2018-19, my bowling overseas has been fantastic and I have managed to win games for the team. I am looking at it as a captain or coach and I'm just talking in hindsight, in their defence. 

So the last time when we were in England, it was 2-2 with a drawn Test and they would have felt four pacers and one spinner is the combination in England. That is what they might have thought going into the final,"

Ashwin, who is also captaining Dragons in TNPL, won their opening match, and next face Siechem Madurai Panthers on Sunday.