IND vs AFG World Cup 2023: Why Ravichandran Ashwin didn't play against Afghanistan?

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India are taking on Afghanistan in the ICC World Cup 2023 on Wednesday (October 11) at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi. And Ravichandran Ashwin was left out from the Indian team starting eleven.

Ravichandran Ashwin was drafted in as a replacement for Axar Patel in the World Cup squad and played in the first match against Australia. The off-spinner bowled an excellent spell against the Aussies, picking up a wicket fot just 34 runs in his spell of ten overs.

But the off-spinner was subsequently dropped against Afghanistan in Delhi. Instead, it was Shardul Thakur who was brough into the playing team.

Why Ravichandran Ashwin didn't play?

Although questions have been raised on Ashwin's absence, it looks like the decision was strategic.

Team India went with a pacer in Shardul as the Delhi pitch offers less for the spinners. And in the match, it was quite vivid as only one out of Afghanistan's eight wickets was taken by spin. Shardul Thakur picked up a wicket as well and conceded 31 runs in his six overs spell.

Ashwin's exclusion from the team has been criticised as Sunil Gavaskar voiced his opinion strongly against it. He questioned Ashwin's exit but confirmed the off-spinner will come back strongly if he gets opportunity in the coming matches.

India will be up against Pakistan next on Saturday and we may see the Tamil Nadu-born wizard coming back into the side for the high-voltage encounter in Ahmedabad.