IND Vs AUS: Yuzvendra Chahal Would've Make The Cut In Place Of Ravichandran Ashwin: Former Indian Captain's Stunning Revelation On Team India

In 2011, when India co-hosted the ICC ODI World Cup, Ravichandran Ashwin was a budding cricketer relishing the opportunity to share the dressing room with legends. As the least experienced member among the 15, he played in just two matches against the West Indies and Australia.

The highlight of his campaign was making his World Cup debut at his home ground in Chennai. Now, 12 years later, Ravichandran Ashwin has matured into a renowned spin maestro, and with the World Cup returning to India, he stands as a senior presence in the squad, taking on the campaign opener against Australia at Chepauk.

Ravichandran Ashwin’s inclusion in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 squad came as a last-minute call-up due to Axar Patel’s quadriceps injury. The decision to choose between Ashwin and his state mate Washington Sundar was based on the need for an off-spinner who could bat.

The ODIs against Australia served as a testing ground for the 37-year-old Ashwin, who had played only two ODIs in the last six years. His impressive performance during the series demonstrated that he was far from finished. Following India’s 2-1 series win, Ashwin was included in the final 15 for the World Cup.

Ravichandran Ashwin’s selection sparked debate, with questions raised about the necessity of including a player who isn’t a regular in India’s ODI lineup. However, proponents of his selection point to Ashwin’s brilliance in reading the game well in home conditions.

Former India women’s team captain Anjum Chopra weighed in on the selectors’ decision to choose Ravichandran Ashwin over other contenders. She emphasized that anyone representing India at the international level must be a top-notch cricketer, and Ashwin certainly fits that description.

Anjum Chopra Backs Ravichandran Ashwin’s Selection In The World Cup

Ashwin’s return to ODIs seemed unlikely until he received the opportunity to represent India in the prestigious World Cup, despite several talented alternatives. The selectors turned to the veteran off-spinner to bolster India’s quest to end their decade-long drought of ICC titles.

“We always have 17-18 players who could make it to the Indian squad but we have to select 15. Ravichandran Ashwin came in as a replacement for Axar Patel. Yuzvendra Chahal could have also made the cut. Had injury concerns not been there, you never know, we could have had more options as well. But all these players are still around the Indian squad so anyone could have come in and replaced another one and that’s the luxury that we have,” said Anjum Chopra.

“And obviously, Ashwin is a quality player, skilled and experienced. So anyone playing for India cannot be a not-so-good player. He has to be a top-notch cricketer and Ashwin is one,” she added.

Chopra pointed out that Ashwin had remained an active player, participating in various formats of the game, and his readiness to contribute is a testament to his versatility and talent. She expressed confidence in his ability to make a successful transition from T20Is to ODIs.

Speaking about the readiness of Ashwin, Chopra said, “He wasn’t sitting at home and doing nothing all this while. They were playing which really makes a lot of difference and he’s been an active player. Whether he’s playing T20Is, ODIs, 4-day games or Test cricket, that really doesn’t make much difference. He is an immensely talented cricketer; we all know that. If you are playing for India, you must have all these qualities to represent the national team.

“From T20Is to ODIs, yes it’s a shift but still, you can make that transition at your disposal. And he has done really well. So, we are really hoping for him to be in the playing XI,” she added.

Ravichandran Ashwin’s skills, particularly his guile in the middle overs, will be valuable for India as they seek to perform exuberantly in this World Cup. While the selectors aimed to include an all-rounder with batting depth in the squad, Chopra believes Ashwin’s batting abilities won’t be a significant concern. His ability to contribute with both bat and ball, coupled with his fielding skills, makes him a valuable asset to the team.

“Having two skills is always a great ability to have. If you can do both things including fielding, then it really matters. So yes, Ashwin can bat and we know that. So the only thing is we can hope. What actually is going to happen that day you can only predict. But as a cricketer, you always practice hard to perform on that particular day and the results are obviously not in your hand.

“And the Indian team is experienced enough to know how to bring the best out of him,” Chopra said.

As India prepares for the World Cup, Ravichandran Ashwin’s experience and multifaceted talents make him a key player to watch, especially in home conditions where his spin wizardry could prove decisive. Ravichandran Ashwin has taken 69 wickets in 44 matches in home conditions and he will look forward to adding to this tally of wickets.