The opening day of the World Test Championship Final witnessed heated discussions surrounding India's bowling combination, particularly the exclusion of off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin, despite facing several left-handed Australian batsmen.
Critics argued that India should have prioritized their best five bowlers, even if it meant including Ashwin alongside two spinners and three pacers, irrespective of the apparent conditions.
Although the initially green-looking pitch provided assistance to seamers during the first hour, it gradually flattened out, allowing Australia's Travis Head (146 not out) and Steve Smith (95 not out) to exploit a lackluster Indian bowling lineup. The duo forged an outstanding unbeaten partnership of 251 runs for the fourth wicket, propelling Australia to a commanding total of 327/3 at stumps on Day 1.
Experts believed that Ashwin, a world-class bowler, could have been more effective against Head. However, Ravindra Jadeja, the lone spinner in the five-man bowling unit, remained wicketless after bowling 14 overs for 48 runs.
Defending the decision to drop Ashwin, India's bowling coach Paras Mhambrey stated that considering the conditions, the team made the right choice by opting for an additional pacer.
"It's always a very difficult decision to drop a champion bowler like that. But I thought, looking at the conditions in the morning, having an additional seamer would definitely be beneficial. And it has worked in the past...the seamers have done well out here for us," Mhambrey explained during the end-of-day press conference at The Oval.
While acknowledging that leaving out Ashwin was a tough call, Mhambrey emphasized that the decision was thoroughly discussed with the team management and the player himself. The coaching staff considered the wicket and its conditions over the course of several practice sessions.
Ashwin understood that the decision was made in the best interest of the team and with regards to the combination and the pitch. Mhambrey acknowledged the bowler's world-class skills but emphasized the importance of honest conversations about strategies and team dynamics.
Looking ahead, Mhambrey expressed confidence in India's ability to stage a comeback on the second morning of the match. He believed that an early breakthrough with the second new ball could provide an opportunity for India to regain control.
Despite the ongoing debate surrounding Ashwin's omission, Mhambrey stood by the decision, stressing the team's focus on the collective benefit and the desire to construct a winning combination.
As the match progresses, it remains to be seen how the absence of Ashwin impacts India's performance and if the team can mount a strong comeback against a dominant Australian side.