Ravichandran Ashwin says that playing in the World Test Finals final will be the equivalent of competing in the Cricket World Cup for many Indian players.
Ashwin noted former sailor Ishant Sharma for a special compliment. A veteran of 101 Tests and 80 ODI, Sharma has never played in the Cricket World Cup. He was unfortunately ruled out of the 2015 edition in Australia after being injured just before the start of the tournament.
“For a lot of players in that dressing room it means a lot,” Ashwin said of making the WTC final after a five-wicket draw helped India in their fourth game against England. cover.
“Some of them did not play in the Cricket World Cup. It will be like the Cricket World Cup for most of them.
“I am so happy for someone like Ishant Sharma, who was selected in the 2015 Cricket World Cup and could not play because he was rejected due to a last minute injury. Getting someone to the final of the World Test would mean the world.
“I am very happy for him and many others which means a lot. ”
Ashwin said India’s spot in the final was the result of 10 years of work rather than just the success of the last two years.
India secured their place in the final by beating England 3-1 in the recently decided series, finishing at the top of the WTC ladder after 72.2 per cent. to pick up hundreds of available points.
“This is a result of the kind of work we have put in over the last 10 years,” said Ashwin.
“The World Test Championship has been announced and we have, of course, fought hard. We’ve played six seven sets and literally got most of the points, we’ve lost about three (four) Tests in the whole circle. ”
Speaking to BCCI.TV, India captain Virat Kohli said his side were looking forward to the final after he put in the hard yards to finish on top of the standings. .
“We are very happy now that we have made the final,” said Kohli.
“If you look at the last two years, two and a half years, as we have played, we deserve to be in that final. Now he just wants to come together as a group again and focus on that one big game, which is really exciting for us all. ”
That sentiment was picked up by Rohit Sharma, who was India’s top winner in the series against England.
“It’s been a long journey since the World Test Championship began,” said Rohit. “We have played cricket well in India, we have also played cricket well outside India.
“We have been put under pressure, we have been put in that difficult position many times. We handled those situations well, which is why we are here equipped for the final round. We deserve the certificate. The credit goes to the whole squad and the staff as well. ”