In a turn of events that left cricket fans disappointed, Ravichandran Ashwin, the top-ranked Test bowler, was dropped from the Indian XI for the World Test Championship final against Australia at The Oval. The decision sparked criticism from India legend Sunil Gavaskar, who expressed his frustration with captain Rohit Sharma and head coach Rahul Dravid. This wasn’t the first time Ashwin faced exclusion from overseas matches despite his impressive numbers, and it wasn’t the first time Gavaskar came to his defense. Now, a week after the heartbreaking snub in the WTC final, Ashwin has responded to Gavaskar’s remarks.
In his column for Sportstar, Gavaskar used R. Ashwin as an example to highlight a certain “horses for courses” rule that seems to apply only to bowlers. He pointed out that if a bowler fails to meet expectations in one game, they are immediately dropped for the next, while batsmen don’t face the same consequences.
Gavaskar wrote, “For far too long, R. Ashwin has suffered not for his bowling ability, which is beyond doubt, but for his forthrightness and speaking his mind at meetings, where most others simply nod even if they disagree. If Ashwin doesn’t take heaps of wickets in one game, he is invariably sidelined for the next. However, that doesn’t happen to established batsmen. That’s Indian cricket. Different rules for different people. If you don’t believe me, ask Ravi Ashwin and T. Natarajan.”
In an interview with Sportstar following the WTC final snub, Ashwin was asked about his opinion on Gavaskar’s observation. The veteran off-spinner shared a childhood story about Sachin Tendulkar, explaining how he was inspired to become a bowler when he witnessed India’s bowling struggling in a match. He then revealed that upon retirement, his regret would be not focusing more on batting.
He said, “When I retire, my biggest regret will be not having become a better batter. This is a constant battle for me, even though it may sound childish. I’ve always wondered if I could surpass the bowlers who were playing at that time. That’s why I started bowling off-spin. It all began from there.”
Ashwin acknowledged that bowlers often face different yardsticks and treatment compared to batsmen. While he accepted that he would receive fewer opportunities to prove himself in the Indian team, he expressed his readiness to embrace the challenge and focus on his own growth.
“Some players get ten matches, some get fifteen, and some get twenty. When I first donned the Indian colors, I knew I would only get two matches. I’ve accepted this reality. It’s not an unfair treatment; it’s the way it is. I’ve improved as a player because I’ve come to terms with the fact that I’ll only get a limited number of Test matches. I don’t want to compare myself with others and complain about receiving fewer opportunities. All I can control is my own performance and what I bring to the game.”
While Ashwin’s exclusion from the WTC final raised eyebrows, he remains determined to make the most of the opportunities that come his way. With over 400 Test wickets to his name, he has proven his worth time and again. As he continues to strive for excellence, Ashwin’s resilience and dedication to his craft serve as an inspiration to aspiring cricketers worldwide.