The Indian team is all set to head into the World Cup 2023, which begins on the 5th of November. However, the Men in Blue have one last assignment before the marquee event, the ODI series against Australia. The squad for which has been announced by the Indian Cricket Board.
The Indian selection committee led by Ajit Agarkar announced the 14-man squad for the series. While it was expected that the Indian team would go with a full-strength squad, that was not the case for the first two ODIs. Some senior players, including captain Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and vice-captain Hardik Pandya have been rested for the first two games.
The biggest inclusion, however, has been that of veteran spinner Ravichandran Ashwin. He has been included in the squad in place of Axar Patel, who sustained an injury during the Asia Cup 2023 clash against Bangladesh. Meanwhile, KL Rahul will lead the team in the absence of the regular captain and vice-captain.
Squad for the 1st two ODIs:
KL Rahul (C & WK), Ravindra Jadeja (Vice-captain), Ruturaj Gaikwad, Shubman Gill, Shreyas Iyer, Suryakumar Yadav, Tilak Varma, Ishan Kishan (wicketkeeper), Shardul Thakur, Washington Sundar, R Ashwin, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohd. Shami, Mohd. Siraj, Prasidh Krishna
Sharma, Virat, and Hardik, however, will be back in the squad for the final ODI of the series. Many fans were not pleased with this decision to rest the senior players ahead of the World Cup just a few days away.
The series will be essential for the Men in Blue as the marquee event approaches. The Australians, who have come out with a full-strength squad, will be a formidable opponent, and how India fares remains to be seen.
Squad for the 3rd ODI:
Rohit Sharma (C), Hardik Pandya, (Vice-captain), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, Suryakumar Yadav, KL Rahul (wicketkeeper), Ishan Kishan (wicketkeeper), Ravindra Jadeja, Shardul Thakur, Axar Patel*, Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, R Ashwin, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohd. Shami, Mohd. Siraj
Here is how Twitter reacted
Ash Anna is back ??
— Whyrat Kolly?? (@Sami_Man69) September 18, 2023
Sanju Samson be like !!!
What are you doing with him @BCCI pic.twitter.com/95lR2Ra6Ud
— Nirmal Jyothi (@majornirmal) September 18, 2023
Rohit and Kohli should have played as a practice for world Cup… What have you done Bcci ??
— Jockey Bhai (@JockeyBhai_) September 18, 2023
Rest for seniors…
I think it's not good decision.— ??????? ?????? ?????? (@RishikeshBJP_UP) September 18, 2023
Kya baat hai KL Rahul ?but no chahal ?
— Raja Babu (@GaurangBhardwa1) September 18, 2023
Feeling happy for @ashwinravi99
— Bhautik Sheth (@bhautiksheth) September 18, 2023
Thank you BCCI for Ashwin Anna
— Satya Prakash (@Satya_Prakash08) September 18, 2023
Sanju in ODIs –
12 Innings
390 Runs
55.7 Average
104 Strike rate
3 Fifties
19 sixers.Justice For Samson
— Cricket? Lover // ICT Fan Account (@CricCrazyV) September 18, 2023
A discussion between Ashwin and Jay Shah pic.twitter.com/RVswzMTYsr
— Sunil the Cricketer (@1sInto2s) September 18, 2023
