After his 33rd Test fifer, Ravichandran Ashwin recalls how he moved on from WTC snub by not “SULKING”

Due to the overcast condition at The Oval on Day 1, India preferred to play an extra pacer and drop Ashwin in the WTC Final.

After his 33rd Test fifer, Ravichandran Ashwin recalls how he moved on from WTC snub by not “SULKING”

Ravichandran Ashwin (Image via Twitter)

India all-rounder Ravichandran Ashwin opened up about his feelings after he was dropped from the Test playing XI against Australia in the World Test Championship (WTC) Final. Though Ashwin was the Player of the Series during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy series, due to the overcast condition at The Oval on Day 1, India preferred to play an extra pacer and drop the Tamil Nadu-born all-rounder.

This was a shocking decision from India to leave out the No.1 Test bowler in the world and led to a furore in the Indian cricket fraternity. India lost the match by a huge 209 runs owing to which, Indian management had to face more criticism for dropping Ashwin.

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Ashwin was included in the XI for the West Indies Test series and on Day 1 itself, he completed his 33rd Test fifer. After the game’s end, Ashwin said how it was tough for him to sit out during the WTC Final as he had mentally and physically prepared to play the one-off Test.

But he also accepted that the snub did not mean he would sulk in the dressing room. “I’ve spoken about it,” Ashwin said after the match on Day 1 (via ESPNCricinfo). “It’s very tough as a cricketer when you have a shot at the WTC Final and end up sitting out. But what is the difference between me and another person if I also end up sulking in the dressing room.”

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Ravichandran Ashwin was the pick of bowling attack for India

After his 33rd Test fifer, Ravichandran Ashwin recalls how he moved on from WTC snub by not "SULKING"
Ravidhcandran Ashwin (Image via Twitter)

The Test series looks like a walk in the park for Rohit Sharma and Co. With the help of Ravichandran Ashwin’s 33rd Test five-wicket haul, West Indies were skittled out to a mere 150 runs on Day 1.

Ashwin picked up five wickets for 60 runs but after sending Tagenarine Chanderpaul to packing, he became the first Indian to dismiss a father-son duo in Test cricket. He had previously dismissed Shivnarine Chanderpaul. Other than Chanderpaul, Ashwin’s other wickets were Carlos Brathwaite, Alick Athanaze, Alzarri Joseph, and Jomel Warrican.

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