Watch: Rohit Sharma Comes Up With Epic Response After Reporter Asks Why Ravichandran Ashwin Isn't Picked In Overseas Playing XI Regularly

Rohit Sharma came up with a brilliant response when a journalist asked him why ace spinner Ravichandran Ashwin is not picked in the Indian team XI for the overseas Tests. This came after Ashwin picked 6 wickets in the first Test against Sri Lanka in Mohali and went past Kapil Dev’s record haul of 434 Test wickets.

India registered thumping innings and 222-run win over the visitors who were bowled out for 174 on day three of the first Test at the IS Bindra PCA Stadium in Mohali. This gave India a lead of 400 runs and Rohit Sharma was not shy of asking Sri Lanka captain Dimuth Karunaratne to bat again after enforcing the follow-on.

Well, the story remained the same in the second innings as well, as Indian bowlers proved to be too good for Sri Lanka, as they made only 178 runs. Niroshan Dickwella made a stoic 51*, while Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja picked four wickets each, while Mohammad Shami took 2 scalps.

For Me, Ashwin Is An All-Time Great: Rohit Sharma

Indian captain Rohit Sharma is surprised at Ravichandran Ashwin’s ability to get better with time and termed him an “all-time great”. Ashwin with 436 wickets went past three amazing bowlers in Sir Richard Hadlee (431), Rangana Herath (433), and Kapil Dev (434) to become the ninth highest Test wicket-taker.

“It’s a big thing in his cricketing career to achieve that feat you know. When you grow up wanting to play Test cricket, you don’t dream about these things and so to surpass that is a big achievement on his behalf. You know, I have been watching Ashwin for a long time now and every time I watch him, he seems to get better and better. Ashwin is one such player who always has confidence is in his ability in what he wants to achieve and for the team as well,” the skipper said.

“He is an all-time great in my eyes. He is playing for so many years and performed for the country. So many match-winning performances, so for me he is an all-time great. People might have a different point of view but from where I see, he is an all-time great for me,” the stylish Mumbaikar added.

I Can’t Tell You What Happened: Rohit Sharma’s Reply On Why Ravi Ashwin Is Not Picked In Overseas Tests

However, despite his amazing record in India and subcontinent pitches, Ashwin is not the first choice spinner when it comes to playing overseas like New Zealand, South Africa, England, and Australia. He was also recently benched for all four Tests that India played in England in the series which they lead 2-1.

When asked about the reason for Ashwin not being picked in XI on overseas Tests, Rohit said he had no idea.

“Really, can’t tell you anything about his overseas place and why doesn’t he find it and why is he in not in the eleven. Obviously, I have no idea as I wasn’t part of the selection at that point and I can’t tell you what happened and why was he left out and why didn’t he play and that kind of stuff,” he said.

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— Addicric (@addicric) March 6, 2022

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