India’s decision on the inclusion of spin maestro Ravichandran Ashwin in the playing XI for the World Test Championship (WTC) final against Australia will be made on the morning of the match. The team management aims to assess the prevailing conditions at The Oval, which has been a topic of intrigue due to its unfamiliar June schedule. While rain is not expected to interrupt the game, the nature of the pitch has generated speculation, particularly regarding its propensity for spin and reverse swing.
The question of Ashwin’s selection has been a recurring theme during India’s recent Test matches in England, with the off-spinner often being overlooked. In the previous Test series in England, which comprised four matches in 2021 and one last summer, Ashwin did not make the cut. Instead, India opted for Ravindra Jadeja as the sole spinner, bolstering their bowling attack with three pacemen and Shardul Thakur as the all-rounder.
The significance of assessing the pitch cannot be understated, as The Oval traditionally offers assistance to spinners, particularly towards the end of the summer. However, the WTC final being held in June adds an element of uncertainty, as no Test cricket has been played at the ground this early in the English season. The Indian team management will closely evaluate the surface to make an informed decision regarding Ashwin’s inclusion, considering the playing conditions and the opposition.
Ashwin’s last Test appearance in England was during the previous edition of the WTC final against New Zealand in Southampton in 2021. Reflecting on the challenge of omitting a player of Ashwin’s caliber, Indian captain Rohit Sharma highlighted the dynamic nature of the pitch at The Oval. Sharma emphasized that the team would wait until the morning of the match to finalize their selection, as the pitch characteristics can evolve significantly from day to day.
“I’m not saying that Ashwin is not going to play,” Rohit said. “We’ll wait until tomorrow because one thing I have seen here, the pitch actually changes quite a bit day to day. Today it’s looking this way, tomorrow it might be slightly different, who knows? So, the message to the boys has been very clear. All 15 must be ready to play at any point in time.”
