In the lead-up to India's opening ICC ODI World Cup 2023 match against Australia in Chennai on October 8, veteran Indian spinner Piyush Chawla has voiced his strong belief that compatriot Ravichandran Ashwin is a crucial asset who would seamlessly fit into India's starting lineup.
Chawla's endorsement stems from Ashwin's profound experience in delivering exceptional performances in spin-friendly conditions, potentially providing a significant advantage to the Indian team.
A last-minute squad change
India's preparations for the World Cup took an unexpected turn with the last-minute inclusion of R Ashwin. He rejoined the 15-man squad as a replacement for the injured Axar Patel. This strategic decision aims to bolster India's spin bowling arsenal and infuse experience into the squad, especially considering the subcontinental conditions they will encounter.
Ashwin's recent ODI record
Despite Ashwin having participated in only four ODIs since the beginning of 2018, the team management and cricket pundits stand behind his selection. His reinstatement into the squad occurred following his performance in the recently concluded three-match ODI series against Australia, which served as the team's final preparatory event leading up to the World Cup.
Chawla's confidence in Ashwin
In a video interview with ESPNCricinfo, Piyush Chawla articulated his conviction in Ashwin's capabilities. He stated, "We all knew that once Axar Patel got injured and was not fit enough for the World Cup, Ravi Ashwin was the straight choice because of his experience and the way he has bowled in the past. It is no surprise. It is a like-to-like replacement as he can bat, and is a very decent batter."
Ashwin's game intelligence
Chawla also dispelled concerns about Ashwin's limited exposure to ODI cricket in recent years. He praised Ashwin as a "street-smart cricketer" who possesses an astute cricketing mind. Regardless of the format, Ashwin consistently demonstrates his profound understanding of the game, maintaining a deep connection to its nuances. Chawla believes that Ashwin's adaptability and knowledge of Chennai's conditions, coupled with his experience, make him a valuable asset.
India's Squad for ODI World Cup: Rohit Sharma (c), Hardik Pandya (vc), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul, Ravindra Jadeja, Shardul Thakur, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Shami, Ravichandran Ashwin, Ishan Kishan, Suryakumar Yadav.
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