Ajinkya Rahane Reveals Reason Behind Leaving Ravichandran Ashwin And Rohit Sharma

One of the major surprises after the toss between the Indian National Cricket Team and the West Indies team was the announcement of playing XI by the Indian skipper Virat Kohli. They have left out Rohit Sharma and Ravichandran Ashwin from the playing XI, which raised quite a few eyebrows out there. Meanwhile, the vice-captain Ajinkya Rahane reveals the reason behind the move by the team management.

India, instead, opted for Ravindra Jadeja in his place, along with four fast bowlers in the team. The selection drew criticism from cricket fraternity with many suggesting that the selectors made a blunder in team selection. Even Sunil Gavaskar was surprised to see Ashwin out of the playing XI and called it astonishing.

Despite being fully fit and ready to put in a shift for the national side, the Tamil Nadu-born offie was snubbed for a place in the playing XI in the opening Test against West Indies in Antigua, with Ravindra Jadeja being the sole spinner in the team.

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It is all for the team balance – Ajinkya Rahane

The past few months have seen Jadeja establish himself as an important player in all formats and it was the left-arm spinner who got the nod ahead of Ashwin despite the latter possessing an impressive record against West Indies. Ajinkya Rahane, the vice-captain of the Indian Test team, suggested that it was the overall balance of the team that saw skipper Virat Kohli and head coach Ravi Shastri snub Ashwin for the match.

“It’s difficult when you miss a player like Ashwin. But, the team management is always thinking as to what is the best combination. They thought Jadeja was a good option on this wicket. Especially, we needed a sixth batsman, who can actually bowl,” Rahane said after the first day’s play in Antigua.

“It is hard to find players like Ashwin and Rohit (Sharma) sit out. However, it is all for the team. Vihari can actually bowl on this track. So that was the communication between captain and coach,” Rahane said on the Hitman’s absence.

India finished 203/6 at stumps in the rain-curtailed day with Rishabh Pant and Jadeja in the middle. Rahane remained the top-scorer with 81 runs on the board. It would be an interesting day in the Test, as it would open the lock for the Test match.