Ravichandran Ashwin has been picked for the three ODIs against Australia, to be played on September 22, 24 and 27. Regular captain Rohit Sharma and the senior likes of Virat Kohli, Hardik Pandya and Kuldeep Yadav have been rested for the first two games. KL Rahul will lead the team in those two fixtures. The regulars return for the last game, also India’s last ODI before the World Cup.
India squad for first two ODIs: KL Rahul (captain), Shubman Gill, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Shreyas Iyer, Ishan Kishan, Suryakumar Yadav, R Jadeja, Shardul Thakur, J Bumrah, M Siraj, M Shami, Tilak Varma, Prasidh Krishna, R Ashwin, Washington Sundar
Squad for 3rd ODI: Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul, Ishan Kishan, Suryakumar Yadav, R Jadeja, Shardul Thakur, J Bumrah, M Siraj, M Shami, Hardik Pandya, Virat Kohli, Kuldeep Yadav, Axar Patel (subject to fitness), R Ashwin, Washington Sundar
The decision to have two offspinning allrounders in Ashwin and Washington Sundar comes in the wake of Axar Patel’s injury, although the chairman of selectors Ajit Agarkar remained hopeful of Axar’s return.
“What’s made known to us with Axar’s injury is that he should be okay. So that’s a call we’ll make once we know that, but at least it leaves us with options if they get games now, and gives the team management options if they need to go that way. If the need arises, we’ll look at it at that stage but there’s no need to speculate right now or make any decisions right now because Axar, we’re hoping that he’s fit,” said Agarkar in a press conference.
Ashwin last featured in an ODI in 2022, and has been away from the 50-over set up for a while having featured in just two games over the last four years. Skipper Rohit, however, had mentioned after their Asia Cup win that he’d been having conversations with Ashwin and that he remained in the scheme of things. He reiterated that thought once again on Monday.
“Look with the kind of experience Ashwin has. He has played close to 100 Test matches, and close to 150 ODIs. Yes it’s in the past but he has consistently been playing Test cricket. With guys like Ashwin, having time on the ground is not so much of a concern which is why we thought if he’s an option for us, we’ll have to get him in. But you know with the kind of experience he has, it’s just all in the head for guys like him more than the body. We made the decision to get him in, speaking to him and understanding where he’s at with his body. So it’s not like he’s not playing cricket for the last year or so. He’s played Test cricket recently in West Indies, and if I’m not wrong played some TNPL games as well. Although there’s no comparison there….but some cricket there. So the games against Australia will give us a chance to look at where he’s at, how he’s bowling and how his body is feeling and things like that,” said Rohit.
The squad also sees KL Rahul being elevated to the captaincy role having nearly missed out but making his way back after Shreyas Iyer picked up a late injury. Having recovered from a stress fracture on his back and a surgery, Iyer picked up spasms on the back which had him miss most of the Asia Cup while Rahul cemented his spot again in the middle-order. Agarkar remained hopeful that Iyer would showcase his full fitness over the course of the Australia series.
“Finals day I think he got through his program fine and that’s why he’s been picked. We’re hopeful he’ll get through these games. He’s worked incredibly hard to get to this stage and be fit. And fortunately for him it was not a massive injury he picked up but he did pick up a niggle, he’ll have to get through these games and we’re hopeful that he will because at the moment he’s fine,” said Agarkar.