IND vs AUS: Ex-India cricketer dissects Rohit Sharma’s move to include R Ashwin into ODI side ahead of World Cup 2023: The Washington Sundar vs R Ashwin debate is really getting spiced up as we are heading closer to the ICC World Cup 2023. While there is no doubt about what both these players bring to the table, the competition to get into the ODI side for the World Cup 2023 is getting fierce.
Interestingly, R Ashwin made a stunning comeback to India’s 50-overs side after being named for the three-match ODI series against Australia. The spin-bowling all-rounder will ply his trade in the upcoming ODIs against Australia, starting September 22 in Mohali.
It all happened with an injury to Axar Patel during India’s Asia Cup 2023 Super 4 match against Bangladesh. Axar, who has looked brilliant with his batting approach, copped blows, and he was subsequently asked to rest for the Final fixture against Sri Lanka.
Although Team India drafted Washington Sundar into the side as a replacement for Axar Patel, Indian captain Rohit Sharma clarified that they were also contemplating R Ashwin’s inclusion.
Rohit Sharma, after winning the Asia Cup 2023 Final against Sri Lanka, cleared that the Washington Sundar was match-ready at the eleventh hour, so the team decided to call him instead of R Ashwin.
It can be noted that if Axar Patel fails to prove his match fitness for the World Cup 2023, then one of Washington Sundar or R Ashwin will be included in the side as Patel’s replacement.
Rohit Sharma wants to be aggressive: Saba Karim
Amidst all this back and forth between the players, Ex-India cricketer Saba Karim has dissected Rohit Sharma’s approach ahead of the ICC World Cup 2023.
Karim reckons Rohit Sharma is finding the attacking options in the team and wants to be aggressive with his approach in the impending showpiece event.
“I think Rohit Sharma looks at Ravichandran Ashwin as a match-winner and he’s very clear in the kind of approach he wants to portray in white ball cricket. Now with the World Cup coming up, he understands the dynamics of one-day cricket quite well and knows that he has to pick players who have that kind of an attacking mindset,” Karim told Jio TV.
With R Ashwin coming into the picture, India has got another spin-attacking option along with Kuldeep Yadav. The stats show Ashwin as a potent weapon against the left-arm batters and he is equally threatening for the right-handers as well.
“He also knows that in his bowling lineup, he needs to have out of six, at least five wicket-taking options, and if he has Ashwin in the eleven, then that attacking option is available. If you look at all the other players who are in the reserve – they all have that attacking mindset. So, I think Rohit Sharma wants to continue with this aggressive approach that we saw the Indian team play in the Asian challenge,” Karim added.
Talking about R Ashwin’s stats as an ODI bowler, the spinner has scalped 151 wickets after featuring in 113 ODIs. His economy stands at 4.94 and his average reads 33.49.
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