WTC final: Steve Waugh questions Rohit Sharma's decision, says 'Australia made the same blunder 4 years ago'

Former Australian skipper Steve Waugh has questioned India's team selection for the World Test Championship final against Australia, saying they should have picked Ravichandran Ashwin on the tricky Oval pitch. After being put into bat by India, Australia made 469 in first innings while on Day 3, India were 292 for 8 on Day 3.

Ravichandran Ashwin is currently world's top ranked test bowler, according to ICC rankings. In 92 tests,
Ashwin has 474 Test wickets at an average of 23.93. He has also taken 114 wickets at 28.36 against Australia, the most of any spinner in history, according to Australian Associated Press. Ashwin also has five Test centuries to his name.


Waugh, speaking to Australian Associated Press, recalled how Australia made a similar error in the fifth Test at The Oval in 2019, in a match England won. "We made the same blunder four years ago in the Ashes. The Oval is always tricky. It looks green on top but underneath it is crumbly and a bit dry. I do think (India) have picked the wrong side. Spin will play a big part in this Test match and it is going to be up and down," he said.

Earlier, fellow former Test captain Ricky Ponting was also critical of India's selection call. India dropped Ashwin as the Rohit Sharma-led side bolstered the pace ammunition by playing four seamers. Ravindra Jadeja is the sole spinner in the playing XI.

Terming the decision tough, Rohit Sharma had said, "He (Ashwin) has been a match-winner for us, it is not a great occasion to leave him out, but you have got to do what is best for the team in the given conditions."

Former Australian opener Mathew Hayden was also critical of Rohit Sharma's decision. "I feel that Ravichandran Ashwin is such a key factor, the leading wicket taker in the Tests cycle is not there. There are a few factors worth pondering on in Team India's perspective," he said.