Rahul Dravid Responds To Changes In India's Squad For ICC World Cup 2023, Says 'As Of Now, There Are No Changes'

Team India’s head coach, Rahul Dravid, discussed the possibility of changes to their provisional squad for the much-awaited ICC World Cup 2023. Rahul Dravid emphasized that the NCA and chief selector Ajit Agarkar will make a final decision if any changes are needed.

Left-arm spinner Axar Patel’s role is participation in the World Cup squad, as he is currently recovering from an injury. Axar Patel has been sidelined from action since the Asia Cup Super 4 match against Bangladesh, where he picked up a left quadriceps strain.

As Of Now, There Are No Changes – Rahul Dravid

During a post-match conference after India’s 66-run loss in the third ODI in Rajkot, Rahul Dravid mentioned that the National Cricket Academy (NCA) is in contact with the selectors and Ajit Agarkar but refrained from making further comments.

SHORTS

View More

Your daily dose of cricket!

Loading...

“We’ll have to wait for an official confirmation on a decision on that. The NCA is in touch with the selectors, they are in touch with Ajit [Agarkar].

“I wouldn’t want to make any comments on that. If there are any changes, they you guys will hear about it officially. As of now, there are no changes,” Dravid told reporters.

Ravichandran Ashwin and Washington Sundar were named as replacements for Axar Patel in the recently concluded three-match ODI series against Australia. Ashwin played in the first two matches, while Sundar was included in the third and final match.

One Of The Hardest Things To Predict With The Dew – Rahul Dravid

Rahul Dravid acknowledged that dew could pose a challenge for teams in the World Cup, emphasizing that its impact may vary depending on the venues. The 50-year-old mentioned that the dew factor would add an element of unpredictability to the tournament.

“It’s a big country, India, and there are many venues. It’s hard to say that it’s going to be the same everywhere. I think each venue will be different, each day will be different. It’s really one of the hardest things to predict with the dew.”

“I’ve played in games where we come to practice the day before the game and the ground is soaked. On the day of the game, sometimes there’s no dew – people say when the clouds come in, there’s less dew.”

“I am actually not an expert and sometimes we get it wrong. But certainly, as the tournament goes on, in some venues it will be a factor and in some venues, it may not. It’s going to make it all the more interesting because it’s going to be hard to predict.”

The Rohit Sharma-led team will play two warm-up games before the group-stage matches in the marquee tournament. They will face England and the Netherlands in practice games on September 30 and October 3, respectively.

Also read: Rahul Dravid Expresses Delight With Team’s ICC World Cup 2023 Preparations, Says ‘Hopefully We Can Keep The Momentum’