Axar and Ashwin are both well-established players in the Indian cricketing scene. When the situation is demanding, you can expect them to deliver. Axar and Ashwin have both played memorable roles in many of India’s victories that have come across the recent years. Ashwin has made it to India World Cup Squad 2023.
In all likelihood, Axar Patel will take three weeks more to recover from his quadricep strain. As an important consequence of the same, R Ashwin has taken Axar’s place in India’s 15-man squad for the World Cup.
28th September 2023 was the last date wherein the competing nations could introduce changes in their squads with no queries placed. However, after this date, if any of the competing teams need to eliminate or introduce new players, it will demand consent on the behalf of World Cup technical committee.
Ashwin and Kohli will now be the only two players in India World Cup Squad 2023 who represented India in the 2011 winning campaign
When BCCI announced India’s 15-man squad for CWC 23’ in late August, Ashwin was not included. India’s chief selector, Ajit Agarkar had said that the team management and selectors chose to go for Axar. This was even though Ashwin was one of the contenders. Axar’s reasonably good batting skills in the limited overs format gave him an advantage over Ashwin.
However, when the Asia Cup was being played, Axar got injured. While Axar returned to NCA (National Cricket Academy) in Bengaluru, BCCI named Washington Sundar as his replacement.
The recent 3-match ODI series versus Australia
In the 3-match ODI series versus Australia that recently concluded, Sundar and Ashwin were both in the squad. India did win the series 2-1. But the series brought to us closer insights about the current form of both players. This is because following Axar’s injury, Sundar and Ashwin were both contenders for his spot in India’s CWC 23’ 15-man squad.
Sundar, Axar, and Ashwin are all spin bowling allrounders. Another interesting fact is that in this series, Ashwin, who is now 37 played ODI cricket for India after a gap of 18 months.
For the first two games in Mohali and Indore, Ashwin was selected over Sundar. His bowling figures were reasonably decent, 1 for 47 and 3 for 41. India won both these games and sealed the series.
For the third and last game at Rajkot, Aswhwin was rested and Sundar was given a chance over him.
News of Ashwin replacing Axar in India World Cup Squad 2023 was not released soon after the third ODI finished
After the third ODI, in the media brief that took place, Rahul Dravid, who is India’s head coach, had said that there would be no changes in India’s World Cup squad. In all likelihood, there was limited clarity on Axar’s match fitness back then.
Dravid had, however, specified that Agarkar has been in touch with NCA concerning Axar’s rehab.
The news of Ashwin replacing Axar in the squad for CWC 23′ was formally released later when the latest updates on Axar’s rehab were received. Correspondingly, Sundar will fly to China where he will join India’s squad for the Asian games that will run in parallel CWC 23′.
Ashwin has impressive credentials as a cricketer
In India’s CWC 23 squad, Ashwin is the only specialist off-spinner. He’s played 115 ODIs to date and his wicket tally stands at 155 while the economy rate is itching close to 5.
Ashwin made his ODI debut 13 years back, in 2010. He’s a World Cup 2011 winner and played two games in the tournament.
Ashwin was also an integral part of India’s CWC 15′ squad. He played eight matches for his 13 wickets in the edition.
Indian captain Rohit Sharma has all nice things to say about Ashwin. On the eve of the third India-Australia ODI, Sharma said that Ashwin is a player of class and is an expert in handling pressure situations. It’s just that he hasn’t played ODIs [for] a year or so.
But a player’s experience and class cannot be taken away. Ashwin’s performance across the past couple of games has been commendable. He’s bowled well and has variations up his sleeve.
India World Cup Squad 2023
Rohit Sharma (capt), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul (wk), Ishan Kishan (wk), Suryakumar Yadav, Hardik Pandya (vice-capt), Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, R Ashwin, Shardul Thakur, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami, Mohammed Siraj
An interesting bit of trivia
Ashwin last played CWC 15’. He’ll now play CWC 23’ after missing CWC 19’. This makes Ashwin the only player in the world to play the World Cup after missing a World Cup.
The same would have been the case for Axar as well, who was also in the CWC ’15 squad.
