'I would have loved to play because I have...' - Ravichandran Ashwin's big statement on his omission from the WTC 2023 final's playing XI

Indian skipper Rohit Sharma and the management are still under the scanner for omitting the veteran off-spinner and World’s number one Test bowler Ravichandran Ashwin from the playing XI of the WTC 2023 final against Australia. Fans and experts of the game are continuously questioning the intent of management for going with the playing XI not having Ashwin in it.

After the crushing defeat against Australia in the WTC 2023 final by a big margin of 209 runs, the experts and fans of the game went on to question the absence of Ashwin one more time.

Meanwhile, during all these debates and discussions, the man himself, Ravichandran Ashwin has broken his silence over the entire issue and talked about his omission from the playing XI of the all-important clash of the World Test Championship 2023 final.

“It’s a hard question to answer, right? Because we are standing right after the WTC Final. I would have loved to play because I have played a part in us getting there. Even in the last final I got four wickets and bowled really well,” said Ashwin to Indian Express during an interview.

"Ever since 2018-19, my bowling overseas has been fantastic and I have managed to win games for the team. I am looking at it as a captain or coach and I’m just talking in hindsight, in their defense. So, the last time when we were in England, it was 2-2 with a drawn Test and they would have felt 4 pacers and 1 spinner is the combination in England. That is what they might have thought going into the final,” he added later.

Here's what Ravichandran Ashwin said further

Later on, the veteran off-spinner and one of the modern-day greats, Ashwin also talked about the support he got from the ex-cricketers after his omission from the playing XI of the WTC 2021-23 final against Australia.

"I am 36 years old and honestly, what triggers you what gives you happiness, it changes. Yeah, every time, I get a text message from some of the former senior cricketers, I always get excited and immediately respond. That’s because of how I have seen them as a youngster,” said Ashwin.