'They are co-workers...': Ravichandran Ashwin talks power dynamics in India's dressing room

Ravichandran Ashwin was left out of the Indian starting line-up for the pivotal WTC final earlier this month

India's veteran off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin couldn't find a place in the Indian squad heading into the all-important World Test Championship (WTC) final against Australia. As a result, the Indian team paid the price as Australia performed generally well in the first round and held India to low scores in both innings to clinch the title. Several current and former cricketers have questioned the team's decision to dismiss Ashwin, claiming it was a mistake.

After being snubbed at the WTC Finals, Ashwin spoke in the Indian locker room about the power dynamics between the players. The 36-year-old said the competitive nature of cricket today leaves players with no time to exchange views. "When cricket was played, all the teammates were friends. Now they are colleagues. That's a big difference because here people develop themselves and the other who sits to the right or left. Because I'm there to be one step ahead of everyone else." So no one has time to say, "Okay, Boss, what are you doing?" Ashwin said in an interview with The Indian Express. Ashwin also talked about his own skills and how he deals with exclusion. "That's a difficult question to answer because it's right after the WTC final. I wanted to play because it helped us get there." In the last final we also took four wickets and bowled very well. “Bowling abroad has been great since the 2018/19 season and we have been able to win games for our team,” he said in an interview. Listen to the latest songs only on JioSaavn.com "I look at it as a captain or a coach, but I only talk about their defense in hindsight. The last time we were in England, it was a draw, 2-2 in the test, and they're England. So it felt like a combination of four pacesetters and one spinner, maybe that's what they thought when they got to the final," Ashwin added. Team India's next assignment starts next month and Ashwin is currently in the Tamil Nadu Premier League, where he will lead Dindigul Dragons for the 2023 season.