The training session at Ahmedabad spring surprised as the off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin was doing rigorous practice under the supervision of coach Rahul Dravid. Interestingly, once the training session ended, the support staff and coach inspected the pitch and had a lengthy discussion. The venue is already known for assistance for spinners. This triggered the debate on the question of the inclusion of Ashwin in the playing eleven among the cricket fraternity and experts.
Should R Ashwin play in the ICC World Cup final if conditions suit spinners?#indvsaus #cricket #worldcup2023 #australia #cricketfans #worldcup #cwc #ausvsind #india #RohitSharma𓃵 #Ashwin #ViratKohli #australia #final #wc2023 #sports #sportstoday pic.twitter.com/f7lMQm80VS
— Sports Today (@SportsTodayofc) November 18, 2023
Possibility of Inclusion
For the last six games, Indian team management did not change the team. When Pandya was ruled out of injury, the replacement player, Mohammed Shami, changed the fortunes of the Indian team. He is phenomenal and proved the team’s bench strength is extraordinary. However, there is no outrage if team India decides to field Spin bowler Ashwin as a trump card against the Aussies.
Notably, he was among the six players from the squad at the net sessions, including KL Rahul, Ravindra Jadeja, Ishan Kishan, and Prasidh Krishna.
Ashwin Under Radar
Ashwin was actively indulged in bowling for a long time, attempting to try variations. He bowled some ripping leg-breaks, and he also had a decent batting session, which invoked curiosity among the cricket fraternity. Indian Coach Rahul Dravid watched closely the practice session, which keenly aroused the debate of the possibility of including Ashwin in playing eleven, considering the nature of the slow pitch and prevailing conditions for the spinners.
Also Read: World Cup 2023: Is India’s Bowling Attack The Best Ever?
Will it Work?
In this World Cup, Ashwin played only one match, that is the opening match in the tournament against Australia. He conceded 34 runs in 8 overs and grabbed one wicket. In the final of the 2011 World Cup, legendary captain MS Dhoni boldly included S.Sreesanth in the place of injured Ashish Nehra.
On Sunday, Ashwin could replace the speedster Mohammed Siraj, who did not get good spells as compared to Md.Shami and he will get a chance again in next world cup as he is younger. Ashwin’s inclusion will bring turmoil to Australia’s game plan and derail their strategy because he has had fabulous success against them.
India should take a punt in the finals & bring Ashwin in place of Siraj.
— Gaurav🇮🇳 (@IamGMishra) November 18, 2023
Ashwin always has an edge over Aussies also they have two lefties in the top 3 & Marsh is not a great spin player.
Ashwin is always in the mind of Steve Smith & Labuschagne.#Ashwin #INDvsAUS #Finals pic.twitter.com/CPVx08UdLZ
Moreover, Australia has two left-handers, David Warner and Travis Head, and Ashwin has had remarkable success against them. And also, Ashwin has a good record against Steve Smith, Mitchell Marsh and Marnus Labuschagne. In Particular, Ashwin holds the distinction of 145 wickets against the Aussies, the most wickets for an Indian against a single opponent in international cricket.
Another option is axing Kuldeep Yadav, but it seems complicated as he possesses an impressive record against the Aussies, better than Ashwin in terms of average and strike rate.
We must deem that Ashwin is an experienced bowler, a street-smart cricketer who can read the game well and fox any batsman with his variations. Whether the team management dares enough to decide to include the off-spinner happens to be the biggest match in Indian cricket in the last decade.
