WHY KOHLI'S TREATMENT OF RAVICHANDRAN ASHWIN IS BAFFLING

Along with the others, Ashwin also enjoyed his vacations in the UK. But, in between, he also took part in a county encounter...

- RENIN WILBEN

Team India made a stunning decision to drop seasoned off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin from the playing XI for the first Test against England at Nottingham in Trent Bridge. Announcing the team at the toss, Indian captain Virat Kohli revealed that they are going in with left-arm spinner Ravindra Jadeja as the sole spinner. While picking the pacers became easy with the injury to Ishant Sharma, giving both Mohammed Siraj and Shardul Thakur a look in, the toss-up in the spin department was always going to be between Ashwin and Jadeja although another left-arm spinner, Axar Patel, is also part of the squad.

The decision to go with Jadeja was obviously taken with the motive to strengthen the batting. However, in purely cricketing terms, the movie was highly unfair. Along with the others, Ashwin also enjoyed his vacations in the UK. But, in between, he also took part in a county encounter, in which he sparkled with six wickets in the second innings. Following the performance, Ashwin’s confidence would have been on a high and he would have been raring to go in the Test series. As things panned out, it turned out to be an anti-climax and Ashwin warmed the benches for the first Test.