Ravichandran Ashwin experienced a devastating omission in the World Test Championship final against Australia at The Oval, marking two weeks since that heart-wrenching moment. Despite being the leading wicket-taker for India in the second WTC cycle and holding the prestigious title of the ICC’s number one Test bowler, Ashwin was unexpectedly dropped to accommodate an additional seamer.
This decision drew substantial criticism and ultimately played a significant role in India’s staggering 209-run defeat. In response, Ashwin unleashed an explosive tweet immediately after India’s consecutive loss in the WTC final, later explaining that it was an attempt to find “closure.”
Out of his impressive total of 474 career wickets, 132 were claimed during the two WTC cycles he participated in, establishing him as the second-highest wicket-taker in the tournament’s history. Notably, 61 of these wickets were taken in the 2021/23 cycle alone, positioning Ashwin as the leading Indian wicket-taker and the third-highest overall. Despite his remarkable performance, both as a bowler and a skilled batsman with five Test centuries, Ashwin found himself overlooked by captain Rohit Sharma and head coach Rahul Dravid.
Following India’s defeat, Ashwin expressed his disappointment on Twitter while acknowledging the team’s efforts throughout the two-year cycle. Despite the critical assessments, he felt it was crucial to recognize his teammates’ contributions and express gratitude to the coaching and support staff who provided unwavering support.
In his tweet, he congratulated Australia on their victory in the #WTCFinal and acknowledged the journey that led India to this point: “It is disappointing to end up on the wrong side of things, nevertheless it was a great effort over the last 2 years or so to get here in the first place. Amidst all the chaos and scathing assessments, I feel it’s very important to acknowledge all my teammates who played in this cycle and most importantly the coaching and support staffs who have held on like a rock of support.”
Congratulations Australia on winning this #WTCFinal and closing out this cycle of test cricket. It is disappointing to end up on the wrong side of things, nevertheless it was a great effort over the last 2 years or so to get here in the first place.
— Ashwin 🇮🇳 (@ashwinravi99) June 11, 2023
Amidst all the chaos and…
In an interview with the Indian Express, Ashwin revealed that his tweet was an attempt to find closure and move on from the heartbreak he experienced in the WTC final. He also shared the immense stress it placed on his family, particularly his father. Recognizing the toll it took on his father’s health, given his heart condition and other issues, Ashwin explained how his father would constantly reach out to him, expressing his stress and concern.
Ashwin realized that for him, playing the game was still within his control, but for his father, it was an entirely different story. Reflecting on the situation, he realized the irrelevance of external opinions, emphasizing the paramount importance of his family’s well-being.