Collegues, not friends: Ashwin rues the Team India dressing room atmosphere

THE EXCLUSION OF Ravichandran Ashwin from the Indian team at the World Test Championship final raised many eyebrows.

Discussions about his absence have only grown since India's loss to Australia, and the subsequent publication of the ICC Test Player Rankings where Ashwin is not only listed as the number 1 bowler in the world but also the number 2 all-rounder.

Talking to Indian Express, Ashwin expressed his disappointment at not being picked,

"I would have loved to play because I have played a part in us getting there. Even in the last final I got four wickets and bowled really well. Ever since 2018-19, my bowling overseas has been fantastic and I have managed to win games for the team."

Asked about how the dressing room atmosphere in the Indian team has changed, he said,

"Once upon a time when cricket was played, all your teammates were friends. Now, they are colleagues. There's a big difference, because here people are there to advance themselves and to stride ahead of another person sitting to your right or left. So, nobody's got the time to say, 'okay, boss what are you up to'?"

It remains to be seen when the Rajasthan Royals star player will once again be able to don the whites for the national team.

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