There was a lot of noise to have Ravichandran Ashwin included in India squad for World Cup 2023. With just 2 ODIs in last six years, chances were slim. But as has been the case with him, Rahul Dravid and Rohit Sharma sent an SOS with Axar Patel suffering an injury. However, on his return after 610 days, Ashwin failed to impress in the IND vs AUS 1st ODI. Ashwin finished his quota on a decent note with 1/47 in 10 overs.
In his first spell, he went wicketless for 36 runs at 6.00 economy. He did start decently, trying to hold both Steve Smith and David Warner. But with Smith going after him, his economy soon skyrocketed. In fact, from the Harbhajan Singh end, he he was poor with 0/39 in 7 overs at 5.57 economy. From the Yuvraj Singh end, there were glimpses of old Ashwin with 1/8 in three overs at 2.67 in the IND vs AUS 1st ODI.
With the rust off, it was in his second spell when he looked better. He dismissed Marnus Labuschagne with a typical Ashwin-eshque delivery. He tossed it up with a slight turn and as Labuschagne attempted to reverse sweep, he got missed it completely.
KL Rahul did fumble as the ball his pads. But luckily for Ashwin, the ball ricocheted off Rahul’s pad and hit the stumps. Ashwin and KL Rahul both got a lucky wicket in the India vs Australia 1st ODI.
Will Ashwin be in World Cup?
Even though Rahul Dravid has refused to acknowledge Ashwin is on trial, the three games are definitely litmus test for him. Axar Patel will get the advantage with superior batting and a like-to-like cover for Ravindra Jadeja. Ashwin is likely to be among reserves.
He still has two matches left and with Washington Sundar not really in World Cup plans, the veteran will get an edge.
Rahul Dravid on Ashwin
“I will not say that for him it is a trial or anything. We know his quality. This is a chance for him to play in this format. We just want to give him an opportunity to play in two or three games,” Rahul Dravid said in the pre-match press conference.
“If we have a player like Ashwin, who we can rely upon if someone is injured, it’s a blessing for us. It’s a good chance for him to test himself because he has not played 50-over cricket for a long time. Someone like Ashwin provides you that experience, that ability to also contribute with the bat at No. 8. Someone we always thought of that in case, there are certain opportunities opened, he is someone, who is definitely a part of your plans.”
Ashwin has bagged 152 wickets in 114 ODI games.
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