WTC Final 2023: Indians Fans Unhappy With Ashwin’s Absence From Playing XI

WTC Final 2023: Despite being the world number 1 bowler in Tests, Ravichandran Ashwin was not selected.

As the Indian cricket team is struggling to cope up with the Aussie batters in the final of World Test Championship 2023, which is being played in England's Oval, the fans are upset with the exclusion of Ravichandran Ashwin from the playing XI.

India opted to field four pacers in Umesh Yadav, Shardul Thakur, Mohammed Siraj and Mohammed Shami; with Ravindra Jadeja being the solitary spinner. With this combination, the current world number 1 bowler in Test cricket, Ashwin has missed out on selection.

Shardul Thakur managed to dismiss David Warner, but at the time of writing, had conceded 52 runs in 12 overs. Umesh Yadav, on the other hand, conceded 54 runs in his first 14 overs, without any wicket to his name.

Fans are understandably unhappy with selection, with Ashwin having done well in the ongoing WTC cycle. Here's how Twitter reacted to his exclusion:

Travis Head agar 60 balls khela tou 50 kardega, my line. ji Ashwin yaad araha hai pehli he innings hai, good supporting wicket for spinners with good bounce. Revolutions on the ball and top spinner should trouble left,right handers. #Ashwin #WTCFinal2023 #INDvsAUS #RohitSharma

— Wasay Habib (@wwasay) June 7, 2023

OMG poor selection by selectors ,Ashwin is our main bowler and highest wicket taker for india and you didn't take him, wah BCCI wah. Btw Ashwin is my all time favourite test bowler and i won't watch the final match, tnq BCCI 🙏 #AUSvIND
Miss You #Ashwin @ashwinravi99 #INDvsAUS pic.twitter.com/Ci1hbbnYjH

— Dhrubojyoti Roy (@ItsRahulRoy19) June 7, 2023

Funny how #Ashwin does not make the 11 for the game after being a major reason why we qualified for the final. After all, conditions matter the most and it's up to our seamers to limit the Aussies to a score less than 300.

— Siddarth Srinivas (@sidhuwrites) June 7, 2023

The world's best off spinner is left out of the team to accommodate an average medium pace trundler because of "conditions." Don't remember SL leaving out Murali bcos of conditions or Australia dropping Warnie often. #Ashwin may not be a Warne or a Murali but he's not too far off… https://t.co/SsR8gz58oj

— Sumanth Raman (@sumanthraman) June 7, 2023

Yess seeing the effect Umesh yadav leaking runs and Aussie are already on 153-3 #Ashwin in last WTC FINAL in overcast conditions was indias best bowler

— Kaushik mehta (@MEHTAKAUSHIK001) June 7, 2023

If #Ashwin would have been the #1-ranked Test batsman,
instead of - #1 Test bowler,
would he, still, be dropped?!

First, you prioritise #IPL over #WTCFinal;
and, then -
you drop world's leading bowler...good luck, #TeamIndia!

— Anurag Anil (@raagwasgood) June 7, 2023

No Win Without Ashwin! Would you drop the No. 1 Batsman in the world just because the pitch is not suitable for his pull shots or cover drives? And this guy Shardul Thakur is a 4D player of course! @BCCI #Ashwin #RAshwin #WTCFinal2023 #WTCFinal #WTC23

— Ayush Gupta (@ThatBareillyGuy) June 7, 2023

They dropped the Man who got them to the World Test Championship Final. #Ashwin #WTCFinal https://t.co/bgACzeWz2M

— Inayath (@Inayath1022) June 7, 2023