The Indian cricket team suffered a shocking defeat against the hosts England cricket team in the recently concluded rescheduled 5th Test match in Birmingham. After the match, many have raised question over the team, especially over the exclusion of Ravichandran Ashwin from the Playing XI.
The Test series that was played between the Indian team and the England team in 2021, finally concluded in 2022 with England winning the last match of the series to draw the series. The first 4 matches of the series was played in the year 2021 and the 5th match had to be called off due to COVID cases in the Indian team’s camp.
Later, it was agreed between the BCCI and the ECB that the last match of the Test would be played when India visits England for the limited overs series in 2022.
Winning the toss, England first opted to bowl first. They were in control of the match until Rishabh Pant and Ravindra Jadeja’s centuries guided India to a total of 416 runs. England however, could only scored 284 runs in their first inning. Team India was in control of the match until their 2nd inning.
The Bumrah led side could only add 245 runs in their 2nd inning, setting a target of 378 runs, which England achieved very easily with centuries from Joe Root and Jonny Bairstow.
After the match, there were many questions raised over Team India’s Playing XI selection, especially the exclusion of veteran spinner Ashwin. Ashwin is by far the best spin option available for team in Tests, however, he was ignored from the XI.
The 34-years-old ended 2021 as the most wicket taker in the longest format of the game in overall. Meanwhile, former India selector Jatin Paranjape is the latest to raise their voice.
Jatin believes that India should have gone with Ashwin, “I can understand why they played Shardul because he had done well in the Test match at The Oval where he could have been the Man of the Match. But here you had R Ashwin in the squad. It is like keeping your Ferrari parked in the garage,” he told to Jamie Alter on his YouTube channel.
