Team India will take on Australia in the much-awaited WTC Final 2023 at the Kennington Oval from June 7. Ahead of the game, Australian assistant coach Daniel Vettori stated that he feels off spinner Ravichandran Ashwin will not make it to Team India Playing 11 for WTC Final considering the conditions.
Daniel Vettori had a word to the local media prior to Australia’s training session at the Kent County Cricket Ground in Beckenham on June 1. He said that the team management had a lot of discussion about Team India’s probable bowling attack for the WTC final.
Ravindra Jadeja will be preferred over R Ashwin in Team India Playing 11 for WTC Final: Daniel Vettori
“I think Jadeja will play because of the batting he brings to the table and how successful he has been at that No.6 position. Then the question will be around that fourth seamer and the all-rounder in (Shardul) Thakur and Ashwin, but they are (both) pretty good choices,” Daniel Vettori said prior to Australia’s training session.
“Ashwin is an incredible bowler and he will be first choice in most teams, and just with their combinations it may lead to that (him missing selection),” the Australian assistant coach further added about India Playing 11 for WTC Final.
Oval wicket can offer a lot to the spinners as the game goes on: Daniel Vettori
“We expect The Oval to behave how it always behaves. It is a good wicket, but it can offer a lot to the spinners as the game goes on,” Vettori spoke about the conditions in Kennington Oval.
It’s worth considering that Ravichandran Ashwin has a total of 18 wickets at an average of 28.11 from 7 matches in England but has played just one Test at The Oval. However, his recent form in red-ball cricket has been exceptional as he performed well against Australia and Bangladesh.
In the Border-Gavaskar Trophy which was played in the months of February-March, R Ashwin scalped 25 wickets and was the highest wicket-taker. Ravindra Jadeja too got 22 wickets as the two spinners helped Team India claim a 2-1 series win against the Australian side.
While Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja have together got great success for the Indian team in the past few years, it might be difficult for the team management to play both of them in English conditions. The management will also be tempted to use Shardul Thakur as the seam bowling all-rounder that will provide a better balance to the side.