India vs England Live: Here’s Why Ravichandran Ashwin Is Not Playing The 3rd Test

India vs England Live: Champion Indian off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has once again found himself on the sidelines as the Virat Kohli-led team management has persisted with the same XI that won by 151 runs in the second Test at Lord’s.

Indian captain Virat Kohli scripted history of sorts on Wednesday as he won the toss for the very first time in England.

Kohli had previously lost 8 tosses in a row in Test match cricket in England but the jinx finally broke in Leeds as the Indian skipper called it right and he had no hesitation in opting to bat first.

Leading into the game, there were a lot of questions regarding the make-up of Team India’s playing XI for the third Test.

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Why Ravichandran Ashwin is Not Playing 3rd Test?

India had opted to go with Ishant Sharma as their fourth pacer in place of injured Shardul Thakur for the second Test at Lord’s and the decision led to polarizing views among fans as a significant portion of them wanted the champion off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin in the playing XI.

However, Ishant Sharma vindicated his selection as he chipped in with crucial wickets in both innings.

That said, there was still a school of thought that Ashwin should be included in the playing XI for the Leeds Test.

However, India have persisted with the same playing XI and Virat Kohli, when asked about the reason behind Ashwin’s continued snubbing from the playing XI, said that the pressure of having an extra seamer in English conditions is crucial.

India vs England Live

Moreover, he added that Ravindra Jadeja, who is the lone spinner in the team, will bowl a lot more overs as the conditions are suited to his style of bowling.

“We thought about getting Ashwin in, and the pressure of the extra seamer in these conditions is crucial. Jadeja will bowl a lot more overs because the conditions are suited to him,” said Virat Kohli at the toss.

Meanwhile, England have made two changed in their playing 11 with Dawid Malan replacing Dom Sibley and Craig Overton coming in for Mark Wood.

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