Virat Kohli Never Wanted Three Tests For The WTC Final, Claims R. Ashwin
The rumor has been circulating in recent days that Indian captain and batting great Virat Kohli has requested a three-match Test series to determine the World Test Championship champion (WTC). This was after Team India lost the one-Test WTC final. New Zealand came out on top and was declared the winners of the inaugural edition of the tournament. They were the team with the better live match score and secured an easy win.
Ravichandran Ashwin, the renowned Indian spin bowler, has finally spoken out on the subject. The Tamil Nadu spinner described the discussion around Kohli’s request for three Test matches as ‘stupid’. When the fans would google cricket, they would see stories of some absurd claims from the Indian cricket captain. His first-choice spinner in the Test matches came out and dismissed that.
What Ravi Ashwin Said On His YouTube Channel About Virat Kohli And The Absurd Request For Three Test Matches In The WTC Final
Michael Atherton had asked Kohli if anything different could perhaps be implemented in the World Test Championship, according to Ashwin. And it was only then that Kohli said that three Test matches might well be played to determine the champion, with a side being able to adapt and recover from various scenarios. Kohli did not make any demands, according to Ashwin.
It was just media talk and the fans need to know the truth. That is the message that the cricketer was trying to send out using his YouTube channel.
“I heard people talking that Virat Kohli requested three Tests for the World Test Championship Final. That is absurd. Following the match, Michael Atherton inquired about what might be done differently in the WTC. In a specific context, Virat said that if three matches are played, adaptation and comeback for a team are feasible. Kohli made no demands.”
After the lockdown, a billion Indians were hoping for positive news: Ravichandran Ashwin
Ravichandran Ashwin further claimed that a billion Indians were hoping for some positive news on the cricket field following the lockdown, but India was unable to win the WTC. Finally, Ashwin expressed his desire for India to win another ICC event.
“Fans will be unhappy if we lose in the final. Perhaps billions of Indians were hoping for positive news following the lockdown and other events. However, this did not occur. I’m crossing my fingers. All I want to do now is win another ICC tournament,” Ashwin said.
In Test cricket, India’s next job is a difficult one. The Indian Test team will play England in a five-match Test series beginning on August 4, 2021.
Ashwin states the lack of intense practice before the WTC final as one of their shortcomings
Ravichandran Ashwin points out that since the IPL 2021 was postponed earlier, India lacked high-level match preparation, not least in the form of a Test series against England in England, which the Kiwis won. Despite the IPL 2021 being stopped in early May, India only played one intra-squad game before the final.
“It was a well-deserved victory for New Zealand. They were in the game the entire time, swinging the ball about. Our luck with the green did not work out. It is not simple to come to England and take wickets or score runs immediately.
“After the IPL, we took a month off and did not play any matches. We gave it our all, but it did not work out. It was disappointing.”
Well, things did not work out for the Indian side in the WTC Final. However, they will be looking forward to make an impact in the upcoming series against England. At the same time, there will be a second-tier team of youngsters that will be playing against Sri Lanka, away from home.
This will be a testing time for the Indian side. The second part of the IPL 2021 tournament is nearly upon us. The tournament had to be stopped due to the growing number of cases in India. However, with the end of the competition will be the T20 World Cup, which was recently relocated. Keeping that in mind, the focus of the team would be on winning as many titles and trophies as possible. Let’s wait and watch!!
