Ashwin in India ODI Squad vs Australia: After 18 months, R. Ashwin is selected for the ODI team for the first time ahead of the three-match series against Australia. Along with him, Washington Sundar is also on the list. The series is going to get rolling on September 22, 2023.
KL Rahul will lead the team as the prominent players are given a rest for the first two ODIs, considering the World Cup is about to knock at our door. Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, Hardik Pandya, and Kuldeep Yadav will all enjoy the match sitting out.
Ashwin in India ODI Squad vs Australia
Ashwin in India ODI Squad vs Australia: The selectors made sure that the squad against Australia should be the same as the one that would take part in the World Cup. The only exception is the inclusion of Ashwin and Washington Sundar.
“We’re hoping Axar will be fit,” Ajit Agarkar, the chief selector of India, said. “Washy was already part of the squad for the final. Ashwin brings experience, so it gives us options in case there is a need at some stage for us to look at those guys.”
As Ashwin in India ODI Squad vs Australia, captain Rohit Sharma doesn’t mind the lack of ODI time Ashwin have. Ashwin’s lack of gametime would not be an issue for inclusion. Even though Ashwin hasn’t played in the ODI format recently, his experience in other categories cannot be discounted. Also, his experience would be gold for the team.
“It’s not like he has not been playing cricket for the last year or so. Yes, he hasn’t played in this [ODI] format, but he played Test cricket recently in the West Indies and, if I’m not wrong, in the TNPL as well. Of course, there’s no comparison, but he has had some cricket there. The games against Australia will give us a chance to look at where he’s at.
“With guys like Ashwin, game-time and time on the ground is not so much of a concern,” Rohit added said. “Which is why we thought if he is an option for us, we need to get him in. With the kind of experience he has, for guys like him, it’s all in the head more than the body. I thought getting him in could give is a chance to understand where he is at, how his body is and stuff like that.”
Also READ: Ashwin in India ODI Squad vs Australia | Ashwin in India ODI Squad vs Australia
The India squad for the Australian series: KL Rahul (c), Shubman Gill, Suryakumar Yadav, R Jadeja, Shardul Thakur, J Bumrah, M Siraj, M Shami, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Ishan Kishan, Tilak Varma, Prasidh Krishna, Shreyas Iyer, R Ashwin, Washington Sundar
About the decision to rest the regular starters for the first two ODIs, Agarker said that the players need a mental break ahead of the World Cup.
“Luckily we got a fair amount of cricket at the Asia Cup,” he said. “If not, we would’ve looked at it some other way. More than physical, sometimes guys need a mental break, which isn’t a bad thing leading into a tournament like the World Cup.
“For the third game, everyone will be available. We will play our World Cup squad. This [squad for the first two ODIs] gives us a chance to give guys sitting outside a chance. It’s still a strong squad. Like I said, if we hadn’t got a lot of cricket at the Asia Cup, who knows, we may have thought differently.”
For more, check out: Ashwin in India ODI Squad vs Australia
Get ICC World Cup 2023 Live Score & ICC World Cup 2023 Team Squads along with ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 at IceCric.News and Follow for Live Updates – Twitter, Facebook & Instagram.
