Ravichandran Ashwin is one of the finest all-rounders in Test cricket right now. He has played 79 Test matches for the country and picked up 413 wickets. However, the Indian cricket team has not picked him in the playing XI for the fourth straight Test match in the ICC World Test Championship series against the England cricket team.
The team management has persisted with the template of four fast bowlers and one spinner. Ravindra Jadeja is the only spin-bowling option in the playing XI, while Virat Kohli announced at the toss that there were two changes in the Indian cricket team. Shardul Thakur came in for Mohammad Shami, while Ishant Sharma was out and Umesh Yadav has come in.
Why is Ravichandran Ashwin not playing the 4th Test against England?
There has been no official update or reason regarding why Ravichandran Ashwin has not been playing in this series. He is with the team and available for selection. Also, it is not that he does not have the experience. Ashwin played in the ICC World Test Championship Final against New Zealand, where he scalped four wickets.
After the WTC Final match against the Blackcaps, there was a brief break for Team India. In that break, Ashwin played a county match and picked up seven wickets in two innings.
Michael Vaughan and fans on Twitter react to India’s team selection
Team India have ignored Ravichandran Ashwin once again. Quite a few fans were hopeful that Ashwin would play the Test at Kennington Oval. However, the same did not happen.
Fans expressed their reactions to the non-selection of Ashwin on the microblogging platform. Former England captain Michael Vaughan wrote: “The non-selection of @ashwinravi99 has to be greatest NON-selection we have ever witnessed across 4 Tests in the UK !!! 413 Test wickets & 5 Test 100s !!!! Madness..” Some other Twitter users tweeted as well. Here are the top reacts:
The non selection of @ashwinravi99 has to be greatest NON selection we have ever witnessed across 4 Tests in the UK !!! 413 Test wickets & 5 Test 100s !!!! #ENGvIND Madness …
— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) September 2, 2021
Astonishingly, India have again left out Ravichandran Ashwin…..Surely self-defeating?….Tension with Kohli? Thakur and Yadav in for Ishant and Shami…
— Paul Newman (@Paul_NewmanDM) September 2, 2021
I can't believe they left out Ashwin again, on England's most spin-friendly ground. This team is unbelievable. You pick your five best bowlers, @ashwinravi99 has to be the first or second name. Omitting him & @MdShami11 at the Oval is like a death-wish — as if you want to lose!
— Shashi Tharoor (@ShashiTharoor) September 2, 2021
To not play Ashwin even now is just ridiculous. It's almost like they are scared if he does well they'll face a lot of flak for not having played him earlier. Nonsensical really.
— Abijit Ganguly (@AbijitG) September 2, 2021
Still no Ravi Ashwin.. #ENGvIND
— Chloe-Amanda Bailey (@ChloeAmandaB) September 2, 2021
Makes you wonder if the Indian think tank have any clue.#unfathomable
— Mark Waugh (@juniorwaugh349) September 2, 2021
Has there ever been a world number 2 bowler and number 4 all rounder consistently getting dropped like Ravichandran Ashwin?
— Heisenberg ☢ (@internetumpire) September 2, 2021
