‘One of the biggest regrets they could have’ - Dinesh Karthik on Ravichandran Ashwin's omission in recently-concluded WTC Final

Dinesh Karthik feels Ravichandran Ashwin's omission from the recently-concluded World Test Championship (WTC) Final was one of the biggest mistakes by the Indian side. Karthik’s reaction to the 2023 WTC Final came during his commentary stint in Ashes 2023 when Australia played spinner Todd Murphy for the fifth and final Ashes Test at the Oval, which was also the venue of the WTC final. 

It is pertinent to mention that India lost the 2023 WTC Final against Australia by 209 runs. Notably, India didn't find the inclusion of seasoned off-spinner apt while Australian off-spinner Nathan Lyon picked up five wickets in that game. 

Nathan Lyon has done well in the Oval over a period of time: Dinesh Karthik

“Todd Murphy coming in, we know the pitch is dry, Nathan Lyon has done well in Oval over a period of time. So, the obvious change,” said Karthik on Sky Sports. “(On Ashwin’s omission from WTC final) I think you should let that go, but I think, ‘Yes, they do’. When they look back at it, that’s one of the biggest regrets they could have."

Ashwin was last seen in the recent two-match Test series against the West Indies, where he was the highest wicket-taker from the Indian side with 15 wickets. Rohit Sharma-led India won the series 1-0, as the last game at the Port of Spain ended in a draw. Now, Team India is playing the limited-over fixture with three ODI series in action. After dominating the red-ball contest, the visitors started the limited-over series with a bag after clinching the opening ODI by five wickets.

Speaking of the Ashes 2023, for the fifth Test at the Oval, the Pat Cummins-led side won the toss and elected to field first. The hosts got wrapped up on 283 runs while Australia ended Day 1 at The Oval after losing one wicket on 61 runs.