Xtra Time Web Desk: It’s indeed a significant development that Indian team management has included Ravichandran Ashwin in their World Cup 2023 squad, replacing the injured Axar Patel. Ashwin’s inclusion is notable because he has been primarily known as a Test cricket specialist and had limited opportunities in ODIs in recent years. His selection indicates a shift in the team’s strategy or the desire to leverage his experience and skill in the limited-overs format.
Axar Patel’s injury during the Asia Cup was unfortunate, and his replacement with Washington Sundar was a logical decision at that time. However, Ashwin’s strong performance against Australia in the 3-match ODI series seems to have earned him a spot in the final squad. This inclusion also reflects the selectors’ belief in his ability to contribute effectively in ODIs.
The fact that Ashwin played only four ODIs for India since 2017 and missed the 2019 World Cup underscores the significance of this decision. It’s clear that the selectors and team management see something valuable in his skill set and experience that they want to utilize in the upcoming World Cup.
Suryakumar Yadav’s retention and Shreyas Iyer’s return to the squad indicate that the team is trying to maintain a balance between experience and youth. With Rohit Sharma leading the squad and the team looking well-balanced and well-equipped, Indian fans can hope for a strong performance in the 2023 World Cup, especially given the home advantage. It will be interesting to see how Ashwin and the rest of the team perform in the tournament.