#INDvsAUS: Did India make a mistake for not picking leaving out R Ashwin in WTC final? Veterans respond-

Australia's Travis Head and Steve Smith are putting India into trouble on the opening day of the World Test Championship final. Sensational knocks from Smith (95*) and Head (146*) have propelled Australia to 327-3 in 85 overs on Day 1.

However, veterans think that India made a bold move by going to Ravichandran Ashwin-less's side for the Ultimate Test.

 

 

Ashwin, who is the No.1 bowler in Test cricket, was the wrecker-in-chief when Australia toured India for the high-profile Border-Gavaskar Trophy in the second edition of the WTC.

 

While legendary cricketer Sourav Ganguly stated that India missed a trick by not including a match-winner like Ashwin, former Australia captain Ricky Ponting claimed that the Asian giants have fallen into a trap in the WTC final.

 

"Australia have many left-handers; Ashwin would trouble the left-handers more than Jadeja. I saw the grass, yes there was grass but the deeper I looked, it seemed dry to me," Ponting said on Star Sports.

 

Even batting legend Gavaskar echoed the same sentiments as the ex-Indian skipper slammed Rohit and Co. for overlooking Ashwin in the summit clash. Speaking to Star Sports, former Indian skipper Gavaskar called out senior pacer Umesh, who failed to make an impact after replacing Ashwin in the Indian XI against Australia.

 

"India missed a trick by not playing Ravi Ashwin. He's the No. 1 Ranked bowler. You don't look at the pitch for players like him. You are playing a World Test Championships final, and you don’t pick the number one bowler in Test cricket. This decision from Team India is beyond my understanding. I would have picked him in place of Umesh Yadav, who was out of action and looks out of rhythm," Gavaskar said.

 

“There are four left-handed batters in this Australian side, and he has traditionally done well against them. It is shocking that there isn’t any off-spinner in this side,” Gavaskar added.

 

Ashwin was not chosen during India's tour of England as the senior all-rounder failed to feature in any of the four Test matches against the Three Lions. Notably, Ashwin is the most successful bowler against left-handed batters in Test cricket. The veteran spinner has dismissed left-handed batters over 229 times in the longest format.