Ajinkya Rahane explains why Rohit Sharma and R Ashwin is not in playing XI

There was a lot of criticism after Indian team management left out Ravichandran Ashwin from the playing XI. Indian Test vice-captain Ajinkya Rahane explained why was the decision to leave Ashwin and Rohit Sharma out of playing XI was taken.

Ajinkya Rahane said that it was not easy for the team management to take a call on Ashwin and Rohit Sharma. They both are very good players but management is always thinking about the right combination.

“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 captain and coach. It is hard to find players like Ashwin and Rohit (Sharma) sitting out but’s it’s all for the team,” Rahane said in a post-match press conference.

Earlier, Indian great Sunil Gavaskar criticised the decision of not playing Ashwin. He said, “A man with that kind of record, especially against West Indies. He doesn’t find a place in this playing XI. That is stunning. Astonishing.”

India is playing the first game of the two-match Test series against West Indies and is currently 203-6 from 69 overs at the time of publishing this story.

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