‘Sharam ana chahiye management ko’ - Fans react to Ravichandran Ashwin’s explosive interview after exclusion from WTC 2023 final

India suffered a heavy defeat against Australia at the Oval by 209 runs in the WTC 2023 final. Despite batting failures, former cricketers like Ricky Ponting and Sachin Tendulkar raised questions on the team selection for India as they did not pick the number one ranked bowler in Tests, Ravichandran Ashwin. Even, fans were left shocked when Rohit Sharma confirmed at the Toss that Ashwin was not a part of the playing XI.

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Now, in an exclusive interview with Indian Express, Ashwin opened up and came up with some explosive statements. When he was asked if it was comforting for him as some former cricketers came up in support of him. In reply, he said: “I am 36 years old and honestly, what triggers you, what gives you happiness, it changes. Yeah, every time, I get a text message from some of the former senior cricketers, I always get excited and immediately respond.” 

“I would have loved to play because I have played a part in us getting there.” - Ravichandran Ashwin

“That’s because of how I have seen them as a youngster. I felt happy they thought I was good enough to play. But the fact of the matter is, I couldn’t get an opportunity or the world title. I knew I was going to be left out 48 hours before. So for me, my entire goal was to make sure I can contribute to the guys and help us win a title because I played a part in it (getting to the final),” he further added.

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He also claimed that earlier his all teammates were friends but now, they are only colleagues. “This is an era where everybody is a colleague. Once upon a time when cricket was played, all your teammates were friends. Now, they’re colleagues. There’s a big difference because here, people are there to advance themselves and to stride ahead of another person sitting to your right or left. So, nobody’s got the time to say, ‘okay, boss, what are you up to’?” Ashwin said.

“It’s a hard question to answer because we are standing right after the WTC Final. I would have loved to play because I have played a part in us getting there. Even in the last final, I got four wickets and bowled really well. Ever since 2018-19, my bowling overseas has been fantastic and I have managed to win games for the team. I am looking at it from (the point of view of) a captain or coach and I am just talking in hindsight, in their defence. So, the last time when we were in England, it was 2-2 with a drawn Test and they would have felt four pacers and one spinner is the combination in England. That is what they might have thought going into the final,” Ravichandran Ashwin said. 

Here is how fans have reacted:

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as a batsman hi khila lete, acha khasa contribute krta.. hindsight ki zarurat hi nai, ye facts hai.

— shashankkk (@Fmab96) June 15, 2023

I feel our performance was so poor even ashwin couldn't have saved us...

— The losing king (@KingLosing) June 15, 2023

Did he play in the 1st WTC Final ?

— NJ (@cricketfreaket) June 15, 2023

Massive sad story happened WTC final for Ravichandran Ashwin playing now Tamil Nadu premier league but WTC captain Rohit Sharma holidaying some part of the world. This is the spirit of the cricket 🏏

— Arvind Raghava (@ArvindRaghava5) June 15, 2023

Dream should come true , But Time to move on !!

— Vineet Joshi (@BonafideVJ) June 15, 2023

Feel for him.

— Manoj Padaiyachi (@imanojmj) June 15, 2023

I can't wait for Ashwin's Tell All book releasing in 2031.

— Fahad K🇺🇸 (@AllAboutFKK) June 15, 2023

Not playing @ashwinravi99 in such a big game defied cricketing as well as strategic logic. You play your best bowler, irrespective of conditions. And how can we ignore Aussies who had so many lefties!

— Sumit Agarwal 🇮🇳 (@sumitagarwal_IN) June 15, 2023

Poor captaincy by Rohit Sharma 🤡

— Shreyy 🥷 (@Sadly_shrey) June 15, 2023