• By Manik Sharma
  • Sat, 30 Sep 2023 07:04 PM (IST)
  • Source:JND
Add as a preferred

The seasoned Indian spinner Ravichandran Ashwin is set to make a comeback to the World Cup stage. With Axar Patel's unfortunate sidelining due to a quadricep strain, Ashwin found himself back in the spotlight as he was named a replacement in India's 15-member squad for the upcoming World Cup.

The 37-year-old Ashwin, who recently showcased his talent against Australia in the first two ODIs of the series, reflected on the unexpected turn of events. In a pre-match conversation ahead of India's first warm-up match against defending champions England, Ashwin said he wants to enjoy the tournament as it could be his last World Cup for India. 

"Being in a good space, enjoying this tournament will keep me in good stead. This could be my last World Cup for India, so enjoying the tournament is of utmost importance," Ashwin said to Star Sports. 

ALSO READ: Royal Challengers Bangalore Name Big Bash Winner Luke Williams As WPL Head Coach

Ashwin's inclusion in the squad was a surprise to many, including the spinner himself. 

"I would have said that you were joking. Life is full of surprises. Honestly, I did not think I would be here. Circumstances have made sure I am here today, the team management has shown trust," he added.

Ashwin boasts a World Cup history of 10 matches, with his last appearance dating back to 2015. He has an impressive record of 17 wickets in the competition, averaging 24.88 and maintaining an economy rate of 4.36. His best figures of 4/25, achieved against UAE in the 2015 ODI World Cup.

ALSO READ: Kane Williamson Satisfied With His Performance Despite Ongoing Recovery, Says 'I Have Been Quite Fortunate...'

Apart from Virat Kohli, Ashwin is the only member of the current Indian side who was part of the triumphant World Cup campaign in 2011.Ashwin recognised the importance of handling pressure in such high-stakes tournaments. 

"All you can do is turn the ball both ways, and I think I can do it. Dealing with pressure is paramount in these tournaments, and it will dictate how the tournament goes," the off-spinner emphasised.

Ashwin's return comes after a period of absence from ODIs, during which the Indian team experimented with various spin options. India's chief selector, Ajit Agarkar, explained that while Ashwin was a contender, the selectors and team management had initially opted for Axar for his ability to provide batting depth. However, circumstances and injuries led to Ashwin's resurgence.

Captain Rohit Sharma highlighted Ashwin's class and experience as valuable assets before India’s third ODI match against Australia. 

"Ashwin has got the class, he's got experience of playing the sport and handling the pressure. It's just that he hasn't played ODIs [for] a year or so. But you cannot take away the class and the experience that the individual has over the years, and in the last couple of games [against Australia], we saw how well he bowled. He's got a lot of variations up his sleeves," Rohit said.

Both Washington Sundar and Ravichandran Ashwin made a comeback in the three-match ODI series against Australia, which India secured with a 2-1 victory. This marked Ashwin's return to ODI cricket after an 18-month hiatus.