As India is set to face defending champions England in their first warmup game of the ODI World Cup 2023, team management has called Ravichandran Ashwin to Guwahati. Amid Axar Patel’s injury, team management has gone with the senior spinner, and it is very likely that the team might field him into the squad too.
It’s worth noting that Axar picked up a thigh injury during India’s Super 4 game against Bangladesh in the Asia Cup 2023. Since then, he has been working with doctors and physiotherapists at the National Cricket Academy. However, it has been reported by various media houses that Axar is yet to regain his match fitness, and this has delayed the announcement of India’s final squad.
With less than a week to start in the prestigious tournament, India will look to go with a fully fit and experienced Ravichandran Ashwin instead of half-fit Axar Patel. However, the final call has yet to be taken. It’s worth noting that Ashwin played two ODI games against Australia in the recently concluded ODI series. He picked up four wickets in two innings and made a sensational comeback.
India’s hunt for the World Cup continues
After facing some close defeats in the last decade, the Indian team is set to aim for their third ODI World Cup trophy. They will start their campaign against England and the Netherlands in warm-up games at Guwahati and Trivandrum, respectively. However, in the main event, the team will start by facing five-time champions Australia at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai.
India will also face arch-rival Pakistan at Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on October 14. After these high-voltage games, India will face Qualifier 1 team Sri Lanka in Mumbai. Meanwhile, participating nations have started gathering in India as warm-up games start on September 29. On the first day, Bangladesh will take on Sri Lanka in Guwahati, Pakistan will take on New Zealand in Hyderabad, and South Africa will face Afghanistan in Trivandrum.
Here is how fans react to Ravichandran Ashwin’s inclusion:
Axar Patel robbed ?? pic.twitter.com/Q8hxU6tcrR
— Cricket? Lover // ICT Fan Account (@CricCrazyV) September 28, 2023
Until Axar Patel gets fit, Ashwin will be with the Team. Yes.
— Indian Tintin (@IndianTintin_) September 28, 2023
It means he has been selected automatically in place of Akshar Patel.
— Manoj Tiwari (@ManojTiwariIND) September 28, 2023
To provide practice, we have seen what off-spinners do to India.
— Cricbaaz Harry (@Cricbaazharry) September 28, 2023
Good decision. Ashwin Anna should be in the WC squad for India
— yang goi (@GongR1ght) September 28, 2023
????????? ?????? ???????? ??? ?????? ??? ?? ??? ?????? ??? ?? ??? ????
— ???? ????? (@wokeindian14) September 28, 2023
He should be in the WC pic.twitter.com/OBr2CDu3eB
— Pratik (@fake_engineer7) September 28, 2023
He is a Mystery Bowler ? Who else exciting to see his bowling in world-cup ?
— Muhammad Usman (@ManiSays0) September 28, 2023
