In a significant development for India’s 2023 World Cup campaign, veteran offspinner Ravichandran Ashwin has secured a spot in the final 15-man squad. This inclusion comes as Ashwin replaces Axar Patel, who had initially been named in the provisional squad but had been sidelined due to a left quadriceps strain sustained during the Asia Cup match against Bangladesh on September 15.
As the team gears up for their first warm-up game against England in Guwahati on September 30, Ashwin has already joined the squad, showing his readiness to contribute to the team’s success.
Ashwin’s return to the One-Day International (ODI) format was marked by his impressive performance in the home ODI series against Australia, where he featured in two out of three matches, securing four wickets. His standout performance came in the second ODI in Indore, where he exhibited his full range of skills. Notably, both David Warner and Marnus Labuschagne found themselves struggling to deal with Ashwin’s varied carrom balls, even on a batting-friendly track at the Holkar Stadium.
With Ashwin’s inclusion, India’s squad now boasts a well-rounded spin attack, featuring the left-arm orthodox of Ravindra Jadeja and the left-arm wristspin of Kuldeep Yadav, complementing Ashwin’s offspin.
Indian captain Rohit Sharma had previously praised Ashwin’s ability to perform under pressure, emphasizing his experience and class in the sport. While Ashwin had not featured in ODIs for the past year, his recent performances have highlighted his bowling prowess and adaptability.
This marks Ashwin’s third appearance in an ODI World Cup and his second on home soil. He was a key part of India’s victorious 2011 World Cup campaign and also represented the team in the 2015 edition held in Australia. However, he was not part of the squad for the 2019 World Cup, where India opted for a strategy centered around two leg spinners. Since then, the team management has reintegrated finger-spin into their game plans, recognizing its value in the quest for World Cup glory.