“I Would Have Always Kept Ashwin In That Line-up” – Anjum Chopra Comments On Spinner’s Absence in WTC Final

Former India women’s skipper Anjum Chopra recently shared her thoughts on Indian ace spinner R Ashwin being left out of the playing XI in India’s 209-run defeat against Australia at The Oval.

Team India suffered a defeat in the first session on Day 5 of the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) final against Australia at The Oval on Sunday, June 11. The Rohit Sharma-led side was lambasted as also had previously lost to New Zealand in the first WTC final in 2021 to the Kane Williamson-led side. Notably, Australia won the ICC World Test Championship for the first time by thrashing India by a margin of 209 runs in a match that was dominated by the Aussies.

After being put to bat first, Australia amassed 469 runs. They then dismissed India for 296 runs, gaining a 173-run lead in the opening inning. India were given a 444-run target as Australia concluded their second innings at 270 for 8. The Rohit Sharma-led team was bowled out for 234 runs and went on to lose yet another opportunity of winning an ICC event.

A lot of former cricketers and experts had come in support of Ashwin, who is presently the No.1 ranked bowler in the world with over 400 Test wickets. He recently ended the home series against Australia in March with 25 wickets in four matches.

Amjum Chopra talks about R Ashwin’s absence

Anjum Chopra expressed her disappointment over the omission of Ashwin from the playing XI in the crucial clash. Anjum went on to note that the spinner cannot be sidelined, especially in such a crucial clash irrespective of the conditions.

“Absolutely! I definitely felt that. In fact, my playing XI did have (Ravichandran) Ashwin there. I’m not saying that you can’t play four pacers, it’s nothing of that sort, but I always felt that irrespective of the conditions, had India lost the toss and we were asked to bat, we would have struggled to think, ‘Oh! Now what do we do?’ I’m pretty sure that the team management thought through the decision,” Anjum told News18.

“As a player, I would have always kept Ashwin in that line-up, just because, I think he is a quality bowler and irrespective of the conditions, he can deliver the goods. And he’s absolutely in isolation, just looking at his skill level and the records the Indian team has had with him in the playing XI,” she added.

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