"I Honestly Wasn't Thinking About Being Here" - Ravichandran Ashwin On His Selection In Squad For ICC World Cup 2023
Published - 30 Sep 2023, 04:33 PM | Updated - 23 Aug 2024, 12:19 AM
Veteran Indian off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin admitted that he wasn’t initially thinking about being selected for the ICC World Cup 2023. Ravichandran Ashwin expressed his focus on enjoying the game as his primary goal in the upcoming marquee tournament at home.
The selectors and team management backed Ravichandran Ashwin for the World Cup despite him having played just four ODIs since 2018. The right-arm pacer was recalled to the ODI team in the absence of Axar Patel, who was ruled out of the tournament due to injury.
Enjoying The Game Has Been My Prime Motto – Ravichandran Ashwin
In an interview with Star Sports, Ravichandran Ashwin said he agreed to an interview with Dinesh Karthik despite his preference to stay away from the media limelight.
“I honestly wasn’t thinking about being here (talking about his late selection for the World Cup). Enjoying the game has been my prime motto for the last four to five years and I would like to do that again in this tournament,” Ashwin said.
“I told the media guy that he shouldn’t be putting me in front of camera for a while now, but this is probably one of those situations where he said Dinesh Karthik is interviewing you and I obliged the opportunity (chuckles),” he added.
This Could Be My Last World Cup – Ravichandran Ashwin
Ravichandran Ashwin emphasized the importance of adding variations to his bowling as he prepares for the World Cup. He expressed his desire to enjoy the tournament, considering it his last World Cup for India.
“It’s all about making subtle variations (talking about the preparations) and dealing with pressure, all you can do is turn the ball both ways and hope for the best. Pressure is of paramount importance for most players in this tournament,” he further added.
“Being in a good space and training to enjoy the game will hold me in good stead i reckon. Want to enjoy the tournament. I don’t know I have kept saying this, this could be my last World Cup for India. For me enjoying the tournament is more important,” he concluded.
The Rohit Sharma-led team will play their first match of the tournament against Australia at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai on October 8. The 36-year-old is expected to secure his place in the playing XI, considering his familiarity with the conditions.
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ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 ICC ODI World Cup 2023 India National Cricket Team Ravichandran Ashwin
