Due to an extended recovery period for left-arm spinner Axar Patel’s injury, the Indian Cricket team finds itself compelled to alter its World Cup 2023 roster. In this regard, Ravichandran Ashwin is poised to step in as the replacement for the injured left-arm spinner in the forthcoming World Cup squad.
Ravichandran Ashwin, the seasoned off-spinner, has been named as a replacement for Axar Patel in the squad. Ashwin marked a remarkable return to the ODI side after an absence of 21 months during the recent series against Australia. He particularly stood out in the second ODI, where he showcased his prowess with the ball. In the recent series, Ashwin shared the second-highest wicket-taker position, having taken four wickets in two innings, boasting an impressive average of 22 and an economy rate of 5.17.
It’s worth noting that Ashwin was part of the Indian squad in the 2011 and 2015 World Cup editions. During the tournament in Australia, he made a significant impact by bagging 13 wickets in eight matches, contributing to India’s journey to the semi-finals.
Axar Patel, who had previously been part of the 2015 squad, will now miss his second ODI World Cup due to a left quadriceps strain sustained during India’s Asia Cup Super Four encounter against Bangladesh, which caused him to miss the final match of that event.
To fill the void left by Axar, India has turned to Ashwin, relying on his wealth of experience. Additionally, Ashwin’s inclusion brings an off-spinning option that was lacking in India’s World Cup squad, which could prove crucial as the tournament unfolds over its 46-day duration and pitches begin to show signs of wear and tear.
Ashwin’s ODI career spans 115 matches, during which he has claimed 155 wickets at an average of 33.20 and an economy rate of 4.94. At 37 years old, he brings a wealth of experience from participating in major tournaments, having been part of both the 2011 and 2015 World Cup campaigns.
Updated India World Cup Final Squad:
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.
