Published 13:00 IST, June 8th 2023

IND vs AUS: India bowling coach reveals why India dropped 'champion bowler' R Ashwin for WTC Final

India bowling coach Paras Mhambrey said the tough decision to leave out the world's number one ranked bowler Ravichandran Ashwin from the World Test Championship final was based purely on conditions.

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India bowling coach Paras Mhambrey said tough decision to leave out world's number one ranked bowler Ravichandran Ashwin from World Test Championship final was based purely on conditions.

Conditions have been cold and overcast at Oval, especially in morning, over past three days but day one saw bright sunshine in afteron and evening session.

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"It is always a very difficult decision to drop a champion bowler like him. Looking at conditions in morning we thought an additional seamer would be beneficial.

READ: WTC 2023 Final, Day 1: Australia in driver's seat courtesy of Head and Smith's stellar batting display

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"It has also worked in past for us. Seamers have done well out here for us. You can always look back and say that additional spinner would have been beneficial but we took call looking at conditions," said Mhambrey, after Australia reached 327 for three on day one after being put into bat.

Asked what kind of communication take place with player who is t included in eleven, he said: "When team discussion happens, we talk about composition over a period of days. We trained here for three-four days before game and seeing wicket, conversations happen with players.

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READ: IND vs AUS: Travis Head becomes first-ever cricketer in history to script unique record

" players also understand that ( importance of team combination)." bowling coach said India can surely bounce back in game.

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" second new ball did a bit. morning session will be important. wicket played better than our expectations in last two sessions today,” he said.

fitness issues with Umesh Yadav. Umesh bowled only 14 overs in day but Mhambrey said he had fitness issues. He also felt bowlers could have done better.

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"We could have been more disciplined. After 12-13 overs, we lacked discipline. I felt we conceded more runs that we would have preferred," he said adding that y could have employed short ball tactics earlier than y did. 

06:33 IST, June 8th 2023