On 7 June 2023, the much-anticipated World Test Championship (WTC) final took place at the Oval between India and Australia. All eyes were on the Men in Blue as to which players, especially bowlers will make the cut to the final playing XI based on pitch and conditions. India came to this clash without Jasprit Bumrah.
So, in the pace unit, Mohammed Shami, Jaydev Unadkat, Mohammed Siraj, and Umesh Yadav were available. While for spinners, only Ravindra Jadeja and Ravichandran Ashwin were available. So, fans were wondering who will be the lonely spinner between them if India decide to go with four pacers. But, at the toss, Rohit Sharma confirmed that Jadeja got the nod ahead of Ashwin in the playing XI. After that, fans shared their views on social media.
“Leaving him on such an occasion has been a tough decision but you got to do the things” - Rohit Sharma at the toss about Ashwin
Ravichandran Ashwin is the current number one Test bowler. So, it was a bold call from Team India management and skipper, Rohit. Speaking of the toss, Rohit won it and said: “We are gonna bowl. Just the conditions and also its a bit overcast as well. We gotta play good cricket and come out on top. We got 4 seamers and 1 spinner that is Ravindra Jadeja. Its always been tough as Ashwin has been such a match winner for us over the years and leaving him on such an occasion has been a tough decision but you got to do the things that is needed for the team and eventually we came up with that decision.”
He also talked about the inclusion of Rahane in the playing XI. “Ajinkya Rahane brings a lot to the table for us. A lot of experience playing in these conditions. He has done well for the team playing 80 odd Test matches. Yes he has been out for a while but the experience he has, can change all of that," he concluded. Ravichandran Ashwin also won the Player of the Series award along with Ravindra Jadeja against Australia in the last Border-Gavaskar Trophy in India.
Here is how fans have reacted:
No 1 ranked Test bowler 😂
— HARIS°•. (@HARISFF107) June 7, 2023
Unfortunate but it was needed.
— Armageddon (@Armageddon5696) June 7, 2023
Greatest Test player of India right now dropped.
— Bunny (@Bunnymypapa) June 7, 2023
Anna ta keeping hi kaarva leta
— HoneyBae (@Honeybae5555) June 7, 2023
Sad but the right call on this pitch!
— Chirag Kothari (@ChiragJKothari) June 7, 2023
India losing then last time too ash didn't play against nz ind lost the finals
— AkS (@RRfc2008) June 7, 2023
Ab koi expert bolke dikhao....world ka number 1 spinner bahar kyu h???
— Barfi (@harsh_kapdiya) June 7, 2023
No legend spinner in the #WTCFinal2023
— djay (@djaywalebabu) June 7, 2023
He has become a Full-time YouTuber currently
— muralisvlog (@muralisvlogofcl) June 7, 2023