India’s bowling coach Paras Mhambrey has defended Rohit Sharma’s decision to leave out Ravichandran Ashwin from the IND vs AUS WTC Final. Ashwin was a big omission as the Smith and Travis Head toyed with the Indian attack. This further prompted questions on the World No.1 bowler’s exclusion, with Sunil Gavaskar and Ricky Ponting criticizing the call.
Speaking after play on Day 1, Mhambrey backed the team to do well despite a forgettable start to the Championship. Mhambrey added that while it was a difficult call, the management took the decision based on the conditions.
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“It is always a very difficult decision to drop a champion bowler like him. Looking at the conditions in the morning we thought an additional seamer would be beneficial. It has also worked in the past for us. Seamers have done well out here for us. You can always look back and say that additional spinner would have been beneficial but we took the call looking at the conditions, “ Paras Mhambrey said in a post-match press conference.
India decided not to pick the world’s top-ranked Test bowler Ashwin for the ICC World Test Championship Final against Australia, as captain Rohit Sharma won the toss and chose to bowl first at The Oval.
The India selection decided to stay with Ravindra Jadeja as the only spinner, following their strategy against England in identical circumstances in 2021 and 2022, despite the surface having a green tint and England’s unpredictable overhead weather conditions.
Mhambrey said that India can still make a comeback against Australia and with the “freshness in the wicket” they can do something.
“Definitely we have an opportunity to make a comeback as there is still seam and cut. In the first hour of tomorrow morning with conditions and freshness in the wicket we can do something,” India bowling coach Mhambrey said.
Travis Head and Steve Smith produced an unbroken 251-run fourth-wicket partnership that guided Australia to 327/3 and well on top after the opening day of the ICC World Test Championship Final against India at The Oval.
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