Veteran India spinner R Ashwin revealed that he didn’t imagine that he’d only play one match in the recent ICC World Cup 2023 for the Men in Blue. Ashwin was included in the XI for India’s opening match against Australia in Chennai.
He did well, taking one wicket for 34 runs in total. But after that, India preferred to play Shardul Thakur for extra batting power in the XI.
Now, Ashwin has revealed that he was supposed to be included in the Indian XI against New Zealand in Dharamshala. However, this couldn't happen as Hardik Pandya suffered an injury.
"Never thought that my run at the World Cup would end after playing one match in Chennai because I was bowling with good rhythm. My return was supposed to come against New Zealand at Dharamsala, but Hardik had a heartbreaking injury. Hardik Pandya was an important figure because we did not have an all-rounder to replace him," Ashwin said on his YouTube channel.
Instead, India went with an extra pacer in Mohammad Shami, replacing Shardul Thakur and Suryakumar Yadav replaced Hardik Pandya. Shami went on to pick five wickets in that match and continued his excellent bowling until the final.
Ashwin lauded the Indian team for playing an entertaining brand of cricket and said that Rohit Sharma and Rahul Dravid had planned everything ahead of the World Cup.
"Both Rahul Dravid and Rohit Sharma said that they had well-laid out, strong plans. This World Cup had us playing an exciting brand of cricket. It was a disappointing end as our dreams got shattered, but India had a rock-solid run. We played outstanding cricket throughout the World Cup," Ashwin further added.
Talking about the final in Ahmedabad, Ashwin revealed that Pat Cummins and Australia tricked him. This was because he was expecting Cummins to bat first after winning the toss, but he decided to bowl first and the decision proved to be a masterstroke.
“Let me make it clear, Australia did not win because of destiny or luck. They were tactically outstanding in the final. I watched their performance in the final with absolute fascination. Australia and Pat Cummins deceived me. I thought Australia would bat first if they win the toss because, historically, it’s an Aussie thing to ‘win the toss and bat’. The wicket used for the final was not from Ahmedabad soil, it was rather from Odisha. It was the kind of wicket that would not disintegrate too much,” Ashwin added.
“I was looking at the pitch during the mid-innings and that’s when I bumped into George Bailey, Australia’s chairman of selectors. I questioned him curiously why Australia didn’t opt to bat, to which he replied that they opted to bowl first since this was a black soil wicket, which usually gets better to bat on in the evening.
VVS Laxman in fray for India head coach job as Rahul Dravid not keen on renewing contract- Report
He said that the South Africa game in Lucknow, which was played on red soil, helped Australia realize that while it’s better to bat first on red-soil surfaces, it’s always better to chase on black soil surfaces since the ball skids on well when the dew sets in,” he said.
Ashwin was also impressed with Australian skipper Pat Cummins’ bowling in the final which was done with an off-spinner’s field.
“What Pat Cummins did with the ball was also nothing short of extraordinary. To not have a mid-off, have a 4-5 field, and bowl with such accuracy was remarkable. I’ve never seen a fast bowler bowl to an off-spinner’s field and execute so perfectly, not bowling a single overpitched delivery. It was a tactical masterclass. Australia had us there. They were deserved winners,” Ashwin signed off.
India, after being asked to bat first could only conjure 240 runs despite scoring 80/2 in the first 10 overs. In reply, Travis Head made 137 and took Australia to their sixth World Cup title.
(FirstCricket inputs)
