WI v IND | Leaving out Rohit Sharma, Ravi Ashwin a tactical decision, says Ajinkya Rahane

WI v IND | Leaving out Rohit Sharma, Ravi Ashwin a tactical decision, says Ajinkya Rahane

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Ajinkya Rahane has said that the decision to leave out Rohit Sharma and Ravichandran Ashwin from the playing XI for the first Test was taken by the Indian team management with the team’s best combination in mind. India recovered from 25 for three to finish a rain-interrupted day at 203 for six.

Ashwin has some excellent numbers against the Windies, which has been his best against any Test-playing nation. He has scored 552 runs with four centuries and taken 60 wickets with four five-wicket hauls against them in 11 Tests. Add to that, he won two Man of the Match awards, and the Man of the Series award the last time India toured the Caribbean.

Despite having a tough time in the whites of late, Rohit was beginning to pick up some rhythm in the longest format of the game. During the tour game this week, he made a fluent 68 off 115 balls with eight fours and a six. However, he didn't make the playing XI on Thursday, with the team management opting for Ravindra Jadeja and Hanuma Vihari instead. 

“It’s difficult when you miss a player like Ashwin but team management is always thinking as to what is the best combination. They thought Jadeja was a good option on this wicket as we needed a sixth batsman, who can actually bowl. Vihari can actually bowl on this track. So that was the communication between captain and coach. It is hard to find players like Ashwin and Rohit (Sharma) sitting out but it's all for the team,” Rahane said at a post-match media interaction, reported Indian Express.

After being put to bat first by Jason Holder, India were reeling at 25 /3. From there on, it was India’s vice-captain Rahane who anchored India’s fightback with a steady 81. Rishabh Pant and Jadeja will resume batting for India, from their overnight score of 203/6, on the morning of Day two.

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