After the Indian cricket team included stalwart spinner Ravichandran Ashwin in the squad of the Cricket World Cup 2023, Australian team management called Gujarat local bowler Mahesh Pithania to their practice session who has a similar bowling style as that of Ashwin. However, the bowler has denied the request as he has other commitments. Earlier, the Australian team had taken the help of Pithania in the nets during their visit to India early this year for the test series. This time also Aussies wanted to prepare themselves against Ashwin in the practice session by playing Pithania in Chennai where India and Australia will start their world campaign.