A number of former players have advocated for Ashwin's inclusion in the playing XI as he is yet to play in India's five-Test series.
With the series now levelled at 1-1 after the Leeds defeat, and with the objective to rest their fast bowlers, here are some of the selection questions for India ahead of the Oval tie
Trusting Ravindra Jadeja's batting ability more than Ashwin, India skipper Virat Kohli had ignored the ace offspinner for the first three Tests.
Ishant's figures of 22-0-92-0 were worst among the Indian pacers as England scored 432 runs but more importantly, the veteran looked jaded.
Kohli, though, said he sees no reason to change the playing XI that won the second Test against England by 151 runs at Lords last week.
Skipper Virat Kohli had also said at the toss that Ashwin was in the 12 that was announced within the group but Ishant was included after they had a look at the pitch and conditions.
While the Headingley Test will mark Malan's return to the Test cricket after a gap of three years, Ravichandran Ashwin's place in the playing XI still hangs in the balance.
Starting off with the new ball for Surrey in the second innings as well, Ashwin picked all his five wickets in just the 13 overs he bowled before lunch. He returned with figures of 5 for 23.
The 34-year-old, who is one among only three Indian spinners to take over 400 Test wickets, will be key to India's fortunes in the five-Test series against England beginning August 4.
Kohli had said that the best Test team in the world should be decided by a best-of-three final and not a one-off game like it was in the inaugural edition.
Ashwin added the team will move on from the WTC final disappointment and win some other ICC tournament.
Ashwin, who finished the 2019-21 WTC cycle as leading wicket-taker, also highlighted the struggles of living in a bio-bubble.
In a vlog on his YouTube channel, Ashwin said that the loss was "disappointing" but the Indian unit gave its best shot in English conditions.
While Ashwin ended as the highest wicket-taker, Australia's Marnus Labuschagne was the leading run-scorer in the WTC.
Ashwin took his 71st wicket during the final of the WTC against New Zealand in Southampton.
Ashwin in an engaging discussion with former South Africa performance analyst Prasanna Agoram spoke elaborately about one of off-spinners' lethal delivery that spins away from right-handers.
Despite a tally of 409 wickets in 78 appearances with 30 five-wicket hauls, Manjrekar had opined that he doesn't see Ashwin as an all-time great given his record in overseas Test.
Robinson, who made his England debut in the first Test against New Zealand, was suspended from international cricket pending an investigation after his tweets, posted when he was a teenager, resurfaced on the opening day of the match
Not convinced with Manjrekar's observation, Chappell cited Garner, one of most feared fast bowlers of all time, as example.
While there has been no speculation on India's top-five batsmen as well as wicketkeeper-batsman, there were speculations on the bowling line-up India would field.
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