R. Ashwin was the best bowler for India in the previous World Test Championship cycle (2021-23) with 61 wickets, 14 more than Ravindra Jadeja, the second-best, at a better average and strike rate too. However, the World No. 1 ranked Test bowler, who played a crucial role in Rohit Sharma’s men reaching the final, was not accommodated in the XI for the title clash against Australia citing ‘team combination’ as the reason.
Even after factoring in the variables unique to cricket — from pitch and overhead conditions to the make-up of the opponents — it is hard to imagine any other team sport where the best and in-form player is benched for the most crucial contest. His non-selection for the summit clash drew widespread criticism from former players and fans across the world as Team India succumbed to a heavy defeat, its second straight in WTC finals.
