After his exclusion from first Windies Test, Ravi Ashwin enjoys the Ashes rivalry

Ravi Ashwin has been exceptional performer for India, especially in Test cricket. However, he hasn’t had the greatest of times in the last one year or so owing to injuries. Earlier this year, he plied his trade for Nottinghamshire in England’s County Cricket. Thereafter, he led the Dindigul Dragons in the Tamil Nadu Premier League. The veteran is currently a part of the Test series in the West Indies.

But, the tweaker didn’t get a chance to play the first Test, which started on August 22 at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium, North Sound, Antigua. The decision came as a shocker to many including Sunil Gavaskar, the former Indian cricketer. The legendary batter felt that it was stunning and astonishing that a man with that kind of record against West Indies didn’t find a place in the playing eleven.

After the conclusion of the first day’s play, Ajinkya Rahane, who top-scored for India on the opening day, talked about Ashwin’s omission from the team. He said that the team management wanted a sixth batsman, who can bowl and hence went with the likes of Ravindra Jadeja and Hanuma Vihari. Meanwhile, amidst all the talks, Ashwin hasn’t allowed the situation to unnerve him by any means.

Even as he is warming the benches, he is enjoying the Ashes, which is also taking place. He uploaded a picture where he can be seen watching the epic-rivalry on his laptop. The off-break bowler captioned the picture and wrote, “Early mornings with the #ashes backdrop.”

Here is Ashwin’s post

Early mornings with the #ashes backdrop. 👌 pic.twitter.com/NO5fbNet3p

— Ashwin Ravichandran (@ashwinravi99) August 23, 2019

Ashes keeping all at the edge of their seats

The contest between England and Australia has been a jaw-dropping one thus far. In the opening Test at the Edgbaston in Birmingham, Steve Smith made his comeback into the format. He scored 144 and 142 and helped the Aussies to a 251-victory. It also gave the visitors a 1-0 lead. The second Test at the Lord’s Cricket Ground was marred by rain, yet it wasn’t short of entertainment.

In the absence of James Anderson, Jofra Archer made his Test debut and he smacked Smith around the neck. The Aussie batter scored 92, but was ruled out of the game due to a concussion. Marnus Labuschagne became the first concussion substitute. The third Test at the Headingley in Leeds is currently taking place. On the first day, Archer rattled the Aussie batting lineup with a six-wicket haul.

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