Not Part Of 'Home World Cup' Squad, Ravichandran Ashwin's Message For Indian Cricket Team Is 'Special'

06.09.2023 - 15:49 sports.ndtv.com

Veteran Indian cricket team spinner Ravichandran Ashwin was not included as skipper Rohit Sharma and chief selector Ajit Agarkar announced the squad for Cricket World Cup 2023 on Tuesday.

India went with three spin options in Kuldeep Yadav, Ravindra Jadeja and Axar Patel. While Kuldeep was the only specialist spin bowling option, Axar and Jadeja are all-rounder options for the side.

While Ashwin has been a mainstay for the side in Test cricket, he played his last ODI back in January 2022. After the squad announcement, Ashwin took to social media to post a special message for the Indian cricket team. "Go well boys!

Home World Cup is always special and let's ( all of us ) back them to bring it home," Ashwin posted on social media platform X (formerly known as Twitter).

cricket India Cricket Team World Cup 2023 cup Message Rohit Sharma Ravichandran Ashwin Ajit Agarkar Kuldeep Yadav Yuzvendra Chahal Axar Patel India Sri Lanka Pakistan

Pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah will be available for the third ODI against Australia after being given a one-match break but all-rounder Axar Patel will be given a few more days to recover from his quadricep tear ahead of the World Cup, BCCI sources said on Monday. While Ravichandran Ashwin has done decently in his two outings, the team management is still bullish about the fitness of Axar, the left-arm spin bowling all-rounder. "The team management wants to give Axar full chance of recovery. His forearm and finger bruises have healed but may be in another few days, he would get fit for World Cup. India's first match is on September 8 and hence there is time.

"India May Drop Cricket World Cup...": Ex-India Star's 'Caution' For Rohit Sharma And Co.

The India vs Australia ODI series started a great not for the KL Rahul-led Indian cricket team on Friday. The Indian cricket team, which is in the final stages of preparation for the Cricket World Cup, won the first match of India vs Australia three-ODI series by 5 wickets. There were great shows from Mohammed Shami, Suryakumar Yadav, Shubman Gill all of whom are part of India's Cricket World Cup squad.

Ravichandran Ashwin vs Washington Sundar: Story Behind An Unexpected Cricket World Cup 2023 Trial

A month and half back, Ravichandran Ashwin was eloquently explaining on his Tamil YouTube channel, why a talent like Tilak Varma should be seriously considered for the ODI World Cup. One of India's greatest match-winners in Test cricket wouldn't possibly have envisaged that in six weeks time he would be summoned for a two-match trial against Washington Sundar -- nearly a decade and half junior to him. Close selection calls are par for course when it comes to World Cup squads. But just two weeks before the mega event, the Indian team management has called the two off-spinners for the three-match series against Australia to keep a ready back-up option in case Axar Patel's quadriceps tear doesn't heal on time.

1/30 In 10 Overs: R Ashwin Warms Up With Economical Spell Ahead Of 'World Cup Trials'

Nursing dreams of one final ODI World Cup appearance in India blues, Ravichandran Ashwin warmed up nicely by bowling full quota of 10 overs before linking with the national team for the upcoming three-match series against Australia. If 37-year-old Ashwin pips a hamstrung Axar Patel in the final 15 of the World Cup, he will be one of the two existing cricketers (other being Virat Kohli), who were part of the historic 2011 squad.

R Ashwin To Replace Axar Patel At Cricket World Cup - Indications Clear? BCCI Chief Selector's Sharp Reply

Ravichandran Ashwin, veteran spinner and India's highest Test wicket-taker among active cricketers, is set to play his first ODI since January, 2022. The off-spinner received a surprise call-up for the three-match ODI series against Australia, starting on Friday. The series is the final dress rehearsal for hosts India before the 2023 Cricket World Cup, starting on October 5. Ashwin is not part of the World Cup squad, but his selection has raised speculation.

Gautam Gambhir Questions Role Of BCCI's NCA On Shreyas Iyer Injury, Says Star Won't Be Part Of World Cup

Former India batter Gautam Gambhir feels Shreyas Iyer won't be part of the World Cup squad, having not played much cricket for the entirety of 2023. Iyer has been out of the side since March this year when he had suffered a lower back stress. He returned to the playing XI for the Asia Cup group stage match against Pakistan. However, later in the tournament, Indian cricket team captain Rohit Sharma said that he had a back spasm. Gambhir urged the management not to pick injury-prone players for a big tournament like World Cup.