India‘s heartbreaking defeat in the ODI World Cup 2023 final against Australia have left millions of cricket enthusiasts grappling with disappointment and introspection. The aftermath of this pinnacle clash has prompted a continuous as well as meticulous examination of every conceivable aspect contributing to the loss.
In the midst of this fervent scrutiny, a distinctive perspective has emerged from Indian cricketer Ravichandran Ashwin. A notable member of the Indian squad for the recently concluded cricket extravaganza, the spin stalwart found himself on the periphery, featuring in just one game throughout the Men in Blue’s campaign.
In a recent revelation, Ashwin shed light on his non-inclusion in the playing XI for the World Cup 2023 final under Rohit Sharma‘s captaincy.
Ashwin prioritized empathy in evaluating the decision-making process for the World Cup final, emphasizing the importance of understanding the individuals’ perspectives. He pointed out that if he were in Rohit’s position, he would have carefully considered changing the team combination, especially when things were going well.
“As far as I am concerned, I playing the final, team combination and all that is secondary. Firstly, it’s about empathy, I keep stressing it a lot. It’s about standing in someone else’s shoes and looking at things from his/her viewpoint. If I had been in Rohit’s shoes, I would have thought 100 times about changing the combination. It was going very well for the team. Why would I rest a fast bowler and play three spinners?” Ashwin said while speaking to former cricketer Subramaniam Badrinath in a YouTube video.
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‘I was preparing myself well for the opportunity’: Ravichandran Ashwin
Ashwin further expressed his readiness for the opportunity while also preparing to support the team enthusiastically. The Chennai-born cricketer mentioned that he was mentally prepared to cheer on the team and contribute positively, whether on the field or from the sidelines.
“I was preparing myself well for the opportunity. At the same time, I was prepared to cheer for the team and run in with electral if I didn’t get the opportunity. I was mentally prepared for that too,” the 37-year-old added.
