It really makes me sad that one of our finest and professional spinner is not being selected for the playing 11 especially when he has very good stats in Test format. I think it has been over a year since Ashwin played for India despite the bowling performance he has shown earlier when India needed someone to take wickets the most. Wonder if he will ever get a chance to play again.
If we honestly look at Ashwin's red ball career then he's a champion bowler in subcontinent but average in SENA countries. Having said that I was surprised too when I looked at today's playing XI, considering the fact that his record is very good in west Indies and if I am not wrong then he was the man of the series in his last tour.
I have a feeling that India is one bowler short in this match. Don't know if 4 bowlers can take 20 wickets or may be kohli will use hanuma vihari as a 5th bowler.
After this series India have couple of series at home, so I don't think Ashwin's red ball career is finished. He is still first choice in subcontinent.