India vs England, 4th Test: Ashwin’s ouster continues to baffle | Cricket News – Times of India

Greenish Oval pitch might have influenced decision
One of the jokes going around on social media after the toss on Thursday was that Ravichandran Ashwin is such a great bowler, even Virat Kohli couldn’t ‘pick’ him!
With so much focus on Ashwin in the lead-up to this game, his non-selection continued to baffle everyone except captain Kohli as Ishant Sharma and Mohammed Shami were replaced by Umesh Yadav and Shardul Thakur respectively.

Former captain Sunil Gavaskar sounded unconvinced after the toss but was diplomatic, saying, “Now that the team has been picked we will back this team. If it doesn’t work out then later we have a platform to discuss things.”
Former India pacer Ajit Agarkar was more forthright on air, saying, “Don’t think Jadeja has had a lot to do in this series. If your batting is going okay, then you can still gamble… if you are not picking the sixth batsman, playing five bowlers and Ashwin still doesn’t fit in, it is surprising.”
That the Oval seemed greener than usual may have had something to do with India’s decision, especially after Kohli said he “would have bowled too” had he won the toss.
However, it wasn’t enough to convince former England captain Michael Vaughan, who tweeted, “The non-selection of Ashwin has to be the greatest non-selection we have witnessed across four Tests in the UK. 413 Test wickets and 5 Test hundreds!”

Even non-cricketers like politician Shashi Tharoor aired their displeasure. “I can’t believe they left out Ashwin again on a spin-friendly (sic) ground. This team is unbelievable. You pick your best five bowlers, Ashwin has to be the first or second name,” Tharoor tweeted.

Kohli, a strong proponent of the four-pacer attack, had a part-explanation for again leaving out the world’s No. 2 ranked bowler. “England has four left-handers, so a good match-up for Jadeja, with our seamers bowling over the wicket,” the captain said at the toss. He failed to mention that Ashwin too has a very good record against left-handers.
Maybe Kohli was seeking to make a statement by sending Jadeja in to bat at No. 5 ahead of Rahane, only the third time in Tests that Jadeja has batted higher than the No. 6 position.
That Ashwin may not be picked was hinted at by bowling coach Bharat Arun a day before the game, when he suggested that England were unlikely to prepare wickets, even at the usually more spin-friendly Oval, that would suit Ashwin.
It’s a huge decision to leave out their best spinner again but India will be justified at the end of the Test if the seamers do well. Now the other question that remains is why Shami was dropped, and whether he too is nursing a niggle like Ishant.