Ravichandran Ashwin‘s return to the Indian ODI team has been marked by a remarkable resurgence in form. After a hiatus of 21 months from ODI cricket, the seasoned off-spinner made a notable impact on his comeback against Australia. In the first ODI at Mohali, the 37-year-old showcased his skills, delivering a solid performance with bowling figures of 1/47 from his 10 overs. His impressive form continued in the second ODI at Indore, where he played a pivotal role in India’s 99-run victory by picking three important wickets while conceding 41 runs in his seven overs.
Ashwin’s World Cup prospects
Despite his resurgence and noteworthy performances, former Australia captain Aaron Finch expressed reservations about Ashwin’s inclusion in India’s final squad for the ICC Men’s ODI World Cup 2023. Finch emphasized that Ashwin’s selection would largely depend on the nature of the pitches anticipated during the tournament.
“I think that depends on how they think the surfaces are going to play throughout the country, and by that time, I think the skill in picking a squad for the World Cup is you have to think of the back end. But you can’t think too much about it because you have to get there,” Finch was quoted as saying to Star Sports.
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While the former Aussie skipper harboured doubts about Ashwin making the final cut, he highlighted the invaluable experience and expertise that the seasoned cricketer could bring to the team. The 36-year-old acknowledged Ashwin’s impressive track record in delivering standout performances in high-stakes games and proposed that his presence could serve as a mentor to the squad, particularly in terms of navigating crucial moments in big games.
“I think he might struggle to make it to the final 15, but as somebody who has played so much cricket, I think the rest of the group that is with the Indian team for this current series against Australia, they could learn so much about big game play. Because Ashwin is somebody that stands up in big games, whether it’s a test match or a T20 game, he has done it all throughout his career. So I wouldn’t be surprised if he’s there at the moment as a mentor around the group, but I don’t see him making that last 15, unfortunately,” the Colac-born cricketer concluded.
India’s World Cup squad and alteration window
India’s World Cup squad have already been announced, but there remains a window for potential alterations until September 28. The 50-over mega event is set to take place in India from October 5 to November 19. The tournament will kick off with a match between England and New Zealand, while Men in Blue will commence their campaign against the Aussies on October 8 at the iconic MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai, which is notably Ashwin’s home ground.