Axar Patel’s injury has opened up a spot in India’s ODI World Cup squad, and veteran all-rounder Ravichandran Ashwin is suddenly back in the reckoning. Ashwin has not been picked in the initial squad, but the deadline for changes is September 28.
Ashwin has not played an ODI for India since January 2022, but he is still a highly skilled bowler and a capable batsman. He was also a part of the 2011 World Cup squad that won the title.
India captain Rohit Sharma has said that Ashwin is still in line for a spot in the squad.
“As a spinner-all-rounder, Ashwin is in the line. I have been talking to him on the phone,” Sharma said.
If Ashwin is picked in the squad, he will likely be the second spinning all-rounder alongside Ravindra Jadeja. This would give India a lot of flexibility in their bowling attack. Ashwin can bowl both off-spin and leg-spin, and he can also be used as a containing bowler or a wicket-taker.
Also Read: List of Players That Might Not Play World Cup 2023
Whether or not Ashwin is picked in the squad will depend on a number of factors, including the severity of Axar Patel’s injury, the form of other players in the squad, and the team management’s assessment of Ashwin’s role in the team.
However, one thing is for sure: Ashwin’s inclusion in the squad would be a major talking point. He is one of the most experienced and successful bowlers in the world, and he has a proven track record in big tournaments.
Why Ashwin is a Good Choice?
- Ashwin is a controversial figure, but there is no doubt that he is a world-class bowler. His inclusion in the squad would add a lot of experience and depth to the Indian bowling attack.
- Ashwin has a good record against Australia, who are the hosts of the World Cup. He has taken 103 wickets in 23 Test matches against Australia, and he has also been successful in ODIs, taking 52 wickets in 29 matches.
- Ashwin is a very versatile bowler. He can bowl both off-spin and leg-spin, and he can also be used as a containing bowler or a wicket-taker. This would give India a lot of flexibility in their bowling attack.
- Ashwin is also a capable batsman. He has scored over 5,000 runs in Test cricket, and he has also scored over 1,000 runs in ODIs. This would give India another option in the lower order.
Overall, I think it would be a very interesting decision if India were to pick Ashwin in their World Cup squad. He is a veteran player with a lot of experience, and he could be a valuable asset to the team.
