Ravichandran Ashwin has been included in India’s final 15-man World Cup roster for 2023. Axar Patel, who was included in the provisional team but is still out due to a left quadriceps strain, is replaced by Ashwin, 37. On September 15, during the Asia Cup encounter against Bangladesh, he sustained the injury. Ashwin has already arrived to Guwahati with the team, and on September 30, they play their first practice match against England.
In the meanwhile, Ashwin, who played two of the three home ODIs against Australia, seized the chance to return to the format with both hands, taking four wickets in two games. In the second ODI in Indore, he displayed his entire skill set, picking 3 for 41. On what was a very strong batting ground at the Holkar Stadium, Ashwin proved to be difficult to handle for both David Warner and Marnus Labuschagne, who were undone by distinct sorts of Ashwin’s carrom balls.
Rohit had spoken highly of Ashwin’s ability to deliver in the big moments. “He has got the class and the experience of playing the sport and handling the pressure,” the captain had said. “It is just that he has not played ODIs in the last year or so, but you cannot take away the class and the experience… and in the last couple of games we saw how well he bowled.” (H/T – Cricbuzz.com)
Together with the left-arm orthodox of Ravindra Jadeja and the left-arm wristspin of Kuldeep Yadav, Ashwin’s addition completes India’s spin attack on paper.
Ashwin will be playing in his second home ODI World Cup. He participated in India’s successful 2011 campaign and played in Australia for the 2015 edition as well. When India chose to enter the 2019 edition with two leg spinners, he was left off the roster, but since then, the team management has managed to incorporate finger spin back into their game plans.
