New Delhi. There are only days left in the World Cup. All teams are busy completing their preparations. Team India is also involved in this. After winning the Asia Cup, India now has to play a three-match ODI series against Australia. It starts on September 22nd. Ahead of this series, injury to star all-rounder Akshar Patel has increased tension in India.
He was not included in the Indian team selected for the first two ODIs against Australia. Akshar will now go to the National Cricket Academy in Bangalore for his rehabilitation. Akshar only has 9 days left to get fit to play again. All teams must submit the final World Cup list to the ICC by September 28th. If Akshar is not fit by then, his hopes of taking part in the World Cup could be lost. In such a situation, if Akshar Patel is not fit in time, one of the two players R. Ashwin or Washington Sundar can be included in the 15-member World Cup team in his place.
Let us tell you that R Ashwin has returned to the Indian ODI team after around 20 months. It was his birthday just two days ago, so his comeback in the Indian ODI team is a birthday present for him. Ashwin last played ODI on the South Africa tour in January 2022. He had since moved away from the format but captain Rohit Sharma kept repeating that Ashwin was part of India’s plans for the World Cup but he was never given a chance. In the last 6 years, he played only two ODIs.
However, captain Rohit believes Ashwin’s experience can come in handy in the World Cup. For this reason, despite not being in the preliminary squad for the World Cup, this outsider was named in the squad for the ODI series against Australia just before the tournament.
Asked if Ravichandran Ashwin will replace Axar Patel if he is not fit for the World Cup, chief selector Ajit Agarkar said: “Anyway, there are some guys, both him (Ashwin) and Washington (Sundar). We know about Akshar (Patel)’s injury that he should be fine. If we know this, the decision is easy for us. But at least we have options. If both get a few games now, it will benefit the team.”
R Ashwin has a good record at home
Ashwin has a good ODI record at home. He has taken 65 wickets in 42 matches, an average of 30. He was part of the Indian team when the 2011 World Cup was held in India. Even though he doesn’t play ODI, he still remains the team’s most important player in domestic Tests. He has taken 51 wickets at an average of 15 in eight Tests in India over the last two years. This means Ashwin has both the experience and the formula to succeed in Indian conditions.
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Along with Ashwin, Washington Sundar is also in the race
Like R. Ashwin, Washington Sundar also has lottery. He too was not in the World Cup squad and suddenly came into contention when Akshar Patel got injured. He also returned to the ODI team after 8 months and directly played the final of the Asia Cup. Like Ashwin, Sundar is also a finger spinner and can not only bowl off-spin but also bat well. He has proven this on many occasions in ODIs. He has taken 16 wickets in 17 ODIs and 29 wickets in 37 T20s. Sundar can bat on any number.
