The BCCI made the decision to give skipper Rohit Sharma, senior batsman Virat Kohli, vital all-rounder Hardik Pandya, and main wrist spinner Kuldeep Yadav some well-deserved rest during the first two ODIs against Australia. They’ve also introduced off-spinner R Ashwin into the World Cup consideration, just in case Axar Patel doesn’t recover from his injury.
Ashwin and his fellow spinner, Washington Sundar, have received call-ups for the forthcoming three-match ODI series against Australia. These matches signal the penultimate preparations for the Indian side before the ODI World Cup, and they will feature the comeback of Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Hardik Pandya in the third ODI against Australia. In their absence, for the first two ODIs, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Ravichandran Ashwin, and Washington Sundar have been added in the squad, with K.L Rahul named as the captain of the 15-member side.
Furthermore, the selectors have chosen to offer more time to the injured spinner Axar Patel, who has been named in the 17-member team. They have retained Ashwin and Washington Sundar for the third game. The Chairman of the selection committee, Ajit Agarkar, revealed this during a virtual press conference conducted on Tuesday.
Agarkar stressed that Rohit, Virat, and Hardik have been given a respite, realizing that relaxation is not just physical but also mental. He said that the medical staff has suggested that Axar should be available for the third encounter, however, his fitness will be checked before a final decision is made on his participation.
It appears that the selectors have included the experienced Indian off-spinner Ashwin as a backup option, in case Axar doesn’t recover in time. Captain Rohit Sharma voiced faith in Ashwin’s ability to adjust to the ODI format, despite his previous performance in this format being in January 2022.
India squad for the first two ODIs against Australia:
KL Rahul (c), Shubman Gill, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Shreyas Iyer, Ishan Kishan, Suryakumar Yadav, Ravindra Jadeja (vc), Shardul Thakur, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammad Siraj, Mohammad Shami, Tilak Varma, Prasidh Krishna, Ravichandran Ashwin, Washington Sundar.
India squad for the third ODI against Australia:
Rohit Sharma (c), Shubman Gill, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul, Ishan Kishan, Suryakumar Yadav, Ravindra Jadeja, Shardul Thakur, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammad Siraj, Mohammad Shami, Hardik Pandya (vc), Virat Kohli, Kuldeep Yadav, Axar Patel (subject to fitness), Ravichandran Ashwin, Washington Sundar.
