'The quest for excellence has been draining'

The world knows Ravichandran Ashwin has deserved better than to be restrained by talk of matchups, team balance and lazy stereotyping when ideally he should be bowling long, probing spells from one end, befuddling batters with his guile and slick artistry. But life is what happens when you are busy making other plans. Only, Ashwin is so meticulously pragmatic, he doesn't forget planning for worst-case scenarios too. The World Test Championship final was one such game.

- Somshuvra Laha

"It's difficult as a cricketer when you have a shot at the WTC final and you are sitting out," said Ashwin on Wednesday, after the close of play on the first day of the first Test in Roseau, Dominica.