IND vs ENG 4th Test: Still no place for Ravi Ashwin in India’s playing squad, Virat Kohli continues with ‘4+1’ template: The wait to feature in India’s playing eleven against England overseas is further dragged for Ravichandran Ashwin who will still be warming the bench during the fourth Test at Oval. Though Virat Kohli and Co. announced two changes in the squad- Umesh Yadav and Shardul Thakur are back in place of Ishant Sharma and Mohammed Shami, the two of whom are suffering from slight niggle, the squad had no offerings for Ravi Ashwin. The visitors continue to stick to their ‘4+1’ template, where the team has still opted for Ravindra Jadeja over Ravi Ashwin in the penultimate Test of the series.
After Joe Root led England won the toss and put India to bat first, Indian skipper Virat Kohli mentioned that 4 English left-handers would be a better situation for Ravindra Jadeja. The validation, however, has not gone well with the fans and the cricket experts who were waiting to see the senior player in the cricketing action at Oval after the hosts suffered a crushing defeat of an innings and 76 runs at Headingley.
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
I’m going to stick my neck out and say that I may not agree with @imVkohli & the management’s chosen XI, but I admire their courage & conviction.
The media and fans would have been far easier on them if they had picked Ashwin, regardless of the match result.— Joy Bhattacharjya (@joybhattacharj) September 2, 2021
And I doubt if any other Indian captain or anyone in the world would have benched Ashwin for four-straight Tests when the other spinner is not getting wickets. They would have swapped a batsman and made Ashwin play.
— Venkata Krishna B (@venkatatweets) September 2, 2021
No Ashwin which is surprising. Umesh & Shardul in for Ishant & Shami.
— Sarang Bhalerao (@bhaleraosarang) September 2, 2021
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
I really hope it works but I am flabbergasted that India have gone in without Ashwin again.
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) September 2, 2021
Surprising to see no @ashwinravi99 in India’s XI, I believe there’s ample room to play both spinners and 3 specialist quicks. @root66 will line this attack up once again! #ENGvIND
— Tom Moody (@TomMoodyCricket) September 2, 2021
Ravichandran Ashwin is still not in the Playing XI as India persist with Jadeja, plus 4 seamers – Bumrah, Siraj, Shardul and Umesh. Don’t yet understand why @ashwinravi99 still can’t make the cut #INDvsEND #Oval
— Vikrant Gupta (@vikrantgupta73) September 2, 2021
Am a little surprised that @ashwinravi99 has been omitted from this 4th Test #ENGvIND at The Oval.@abutch58 @markbutcher72 would know more about the pitches at Surrey CCC. Your thoughts gentlemen?
— Alan Wilkins (@alanwilkins22) September 2, 2021
Umesh and Shardul for Ishant and Shami. So rotation in place. No Ashwin is the big news. Now India needs to bat well in overseas conditions against Anderson and Robinson Woakes. #IndvsEng
— Boria Majumdar (@BoriaMajumdar) September 2, 2021
IND vs ENG 4th Test: No including Ashwin from the ongoing test at Oval has come in as a surprise for veterans who backed his inclusion in the penultimate Test.
Having played at the surface for a brief time after WTC Final, Ashwin is better acclimatized to the playing conditions where he played for Surrey for a short County stint ahead of the Test series. He outplayed Somerset’s batting with 6/27 in 15 overs, dismantling them for 69 in their second innings.
Despite such sublime form ahead of the start of the series, it is disappointing to see the 34-year old warming the benches and carrying the drinks for the team so far in the series.
IND vs ENG 4th Test: Still no place for Ravi Ashwin in India’s playing squad, Virat Kohli continues with ‘4+1’ template
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