When Virat Kohli came out for toss with the list of playing eleven in his hand on the first day of the first test against West Indies, eyebrows were raised as Ravichandran Ashwin’s name was missing.
Ajinkya Rahane, whose innings helped India cross the 200-run mark on the first day after India were reduced to 25 for three, explained why the captain and team management came up with three pacers, one spinner and six specialist batsmen.
Read: India vs West Indies, First Test Day 1: Rahane helps India cross 200 run mark
“It’s difficult when you miss a player like Ashwin, but team management is always thinking as to what the best combination is. They thought Jadeja was a good option on this wicket as we needed a sixth batsman, who can actually bowl. Vihari can actually bowl on this track. So that was the communication between the captain and coach,” said Rahane.
“It is hard to find players like Ashwin and Rohit (Sharma) sit out but it’s all for the team,”
“A man with that kind of record, especially against West Indies, and he doesn’t find a place in this playing XI. That is stunning and astonishing.”
India have won both the T20I and ODI series against Windies and will aim for a clean sweep by taking a lead at the end of the first Test.
Feature Image Courtesy: AFP/ Prakash Singh
