Recently India's head Rahul Dravid coach subtly pointed towards the potential challenges that injuries to key players like Shreyas Iyer and Axar Patel might pose during the upcoming ODI World Cup 2023. Adding to the anticipation, this year, under Rohit Sharma's leadership, India have the added advantage and pressure of hosting the World Cup – an event they last won at home in 2011.
But right ahead of the showpiece event, India and Australia will be up against each other in an ODI series in World Cup's dress rehearsal. The teams are set to lock horns in a three-match ODI series which is set to commence from September 22.
However, Team India's preparations took a hit. Star all-rounder Axar Patel, who has been instrumental with his spin magic and batting down the order, was side-lined due to a hamstring injury just before the Asia Cup final. This unexpected turn of events opened doors for the seasoned Ravichandran Ashwin and the budding talent, Washington Sundar, to be roped into the Indian side for the upcoming ODI series against Australia.
It's pertinent to note that the media and fans have been speculating about the inclusion of Ashwin in the squad. Addressing these speculations, Dravid, during the routine pre-match press briefing preceding the first ODI, clarified the team's stance on Ashwin. He stated, "Having someone of Ashwin's experience to come back is good for us. Someone like Ashwin provides you that experience. He can contribute with the bat at No.8. In case there were injuries and certain opportunities opened up, he was definitely part of our plans knowing fully well that he has not played ODIs for a bit. With his experience, he can deal with that."
Ashwin's ODI comeback is drawing attention, considering he last donned the blue jersey in an ODI fixture for Team India in January 2022. Further highlighting the strategic thought process behind team selection, Ashwin is seen as the third spinning option after Kuldeep Yadav and Ravindra Jadeja.
While he's reentering the ODI scene, Ashwin hadn't been part of the initial World Cup squad list. Moreover, he was on the sidelines during the Asia Cup, which saw India clinching a decisive victory over Sri Lanka with a 10-wicket margin.
The former India skipper also touched upon the part-time bowlers' debate.
“It could also be because of the rule change. From 4 fielders inside the ring, we have gone to 5. That has drastically changed the ability of part-time bowlers to bowl in the middle phase. Lot of guys started when there were 4 fielders in the ring. Lot of teams did that. Part-time bowlers have gone down in all teams. Two new balls are also a problem. It is not like they are bowling in the nets. If you do not get opportunities in the middle, it is difficult to maintain that skill. They will look to play a genuine bowler in the mix. It is something we are working in. Some of the bowlers are trying to bat better,” Dravid added.
Dravid also revealed reason behind resting bigwigs like Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma in the initial matches.
“Virat and Rohit specifically, from our perspective, it is really important that we get them to the first game of the World Cup physically and mentally in the space they want to be in. The amount of cricket they have played, they know how to prepare themselves. A lot of these decision are made in discussion with them. Senior guys have a routine and they know what they need to do to get to the first game in the right frame of mind. We discuss with them how best they would want to prepare. Based on those discussion, we come up with some mutual discussions. They need to refresh mentally. They can come back in Rajkot and be fresh for a tough couple of months,” Dravid concluded.
India's squad for first two ODI matches against Australia: KL Rahul (C & WK), Ravindra Jadeja (Vice-captain), Ruturaj Gaikwad, Shubman Gill, Shreyas Iyer, Suryakumar Yadav, Tilak Varma, Ishan Kishan (wicketkeeper), Shardul Thakur, Washington Sundar, R Ashwin, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohd. Shami, Mohd. Siraj, Prasidh Krishna.
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