'What Better Performance Can You Expect'- Gautam Gambhir Lifts The Lid On Ravichandran Ashwin's Inclusion In Playing 11

Former Indian opener Gautam Gambhir believes that Ravichandran Ashwin shouldn’t be part of the starting XI for the ICC World Cup 2023 final. Gautam Gambhir highlighted that the team management shouldn’t alter the winning combination for the summit clash.

Ravichandran Ashwin was included in India’s opening match against Australia in Chennai’s spin-friendly conditions. However, the veteran off-spinner was dropped from the playing XI in the next match. There were discussions about his potential inclusion in the final match.

I Don’t See A Place For Ravichandran Ashwin – Gautam Gambhir

In a conversation with Sportskeeda, Gautam Gambhir stated that the decision to bat first or bowl will depend on the toss and the pitch conditions, emphasizing the significance of runs on the board in a final.

“I don’t think so (on whether Ashwin will play). I don’t see a place for him and why would you even tinker with what is working for you? What better performance can you expect from your five bowlers,” said Gambhir.

“It’s a tough call. But I still feel whoever will win the toss will look to bat first. Runs on the board are runs on the board in a final. Let’s see depending on the conditions. It will depend on the kind of pitch whether we will get a high-scoring or low-scoring encounter,” he added.

The Rohit Sharma-led team has fielded an unchanged playing XI for the last six matches in the tournament. Mohammed Shami replaced the injured Hardik Pandya in the lineup. The team is unlikely to make changes to their combination for the upcoming match.

It Is Time To Praise The Bowlers – Gautam Gambhir

Gautam Gambhir emphasized the team’s concern about its vulnerability after Hardik Pandya’s injury. Gambhir highlighted the need to appreciate the bowlers for performing well under pressure throughout the tournament.

“After Hardik’s injury, we have spoken that with just five specialist bowlers, teams will look to target one or two of them. However, that hasn’t happened because of the quality of the five bowlers. We have spoken a lot about batters and I feel it is time to praise the bowlers for delivering under pressure,” Gambhir further added.

The Rohit Sharma-led team will face the Pat Cummins-led team in the World Cup final clash at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Sunday, November 19.

Also read: ‘Australia Still Vulnerable, But…’ – Gautam Gambhir’s Colossal Remark Ahead Of WC Final