Ravichandran Ashwin’s exclusion from team India’s playing XI for the opening Test against West Indies left many disappointed with skipper Virat Kohli. The list goes as far Indian cricket legend Sunil Gavaskar, who went heavy on the Indian team management’s decision to leave out India’s premier spinner from the game at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in Antigua. His exclusion means the 32-year-old has now missed four straight Test matches for India, having missed out all three games in Australia owing to an injury. India vs West Indies Live Cricket Score 1st Test Match.

Ravindra Jadeja, who is currently India’s best-ranked bowler in Test cricket, is the lone spinner in the side. Jadeja is ranked fifth in the bowler’s rankings and second in the all-rounder’s list, while Ashwin is 10th in the bowler’s rankings and seventh in the all-rounders' list. IND vs WI 2019, 1st Test: Sourav Ganguly Wants Virat Kohli to Do a Virender Sehwag With Rohit Sharma.

Ravi Ashwin Dropped!

Despite carrying niggles for most away series in recent past, Ashwin has been India’s best spinner in the longest format of the game and has an incredible track record against West Indies. Fans were extremely miffed on seeing the veteran off-spinner carrying drinks in the first session of the opening Test. Take a look at some tweets. Virat Kohli Better than Steve Smith, Will Break Sachin Tendulkar’s All Records except One, Says Virender Sehwag.

Conspiracy Theories By Virat Kohli and Ravi Shastri?

6 MOS Awards in Tests Not Enough

Bradman Level in Tests

Consistency Not Enough

Tremendous Record in English County

Baffling

Insane From Kohli and Shastri

Strange Selection

Ravi Ashwin is a Master Against West Indies

Ashwin has so far played 11 Tests against West Indies and has 60 wickets against them to add to his four international hundred and a batting average of 50+. He has so far played 65 Test matches for India and has taken a record haul of 342 wickets and is the fastest ever to complete 250 and 300 Test wickets.

Gavaskar was shocked at the exclusion of the veteran Indian spinner, who is also the prime spin-option for India in 5-day cricket. "[The selection] astonished me," Gavaskar was quoted as saying by ESPNCricinfo during commentary on Sony. "A man with that kind of record, especially against West Indies. He doesn't find a place in this playing XI. That is stunning. Astonishing."

Meanwhile, India also surprisingly went in with three specialist bowlers, five batsmen and one all-rounder. Fans were left surprised at the decision to go with an additional batsman especially after seeing their beloved team play at least four specialist bowlers and an all-rounder for most of Kokhli’s tenure as the Indian Test captain.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Aug 23, 2019 12:13 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).