Indian Cricket Suddenly Remembers Ravichandran Ashwin - Aakash Chopra On Ashwin's ODI Recall

Former Indian cricketer Aakash Chopra opened up about veteran off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin’s comeback in the ODI squad. Aakash Chopra emphasised that Ravichandran Ashwin’s inclusion in the Indian squad ahead of the World Cup has become a new trend.

Ravichandran Ashwin has been included in India’s squad for the ODI series against Australia. The off-spinner received a call-up to the national team in ODI cricket after nearly 20 months after Axar Patel was ruled out of the three-match series due to a left quadriceps strain.

This Happens Before Every World Cup – Aakash Chopra

In a video shared on his YouTube channel, Aakash Chopra highlighted that the selectors recognized the necessity for an off-spinner in the World Cup squad, which led to Ashwin’s inclusion along with Washington Sundar.

“Interestingly enough, this happens before every World Cup. If you look at the last two or three World Cups, he doesn’t get picked for a year leading up to the World Cup, whether it is a T20 or ODI. Just before the World Cup, Indian cricket suddenly remembers Ashwin,” Chopra said.

“An off-spinner was being missed. The World Cup squad that was selected did not have an off-spinner. Due to Axar’s injury, suddenly there’s an opening, and so, along with Washington Sundar, Ashwin has also come into the picture,” he added.

Ravichandran Ashwin was a surprise inclusion in India’s squad for the 2021 World Cup in Australia, despite not being in the scheme of things. Ashwin had not played for the team in white-ball cricket following the event.

Ravichandran Ashwin Will Be The First-Choice Spinner – Aakash Chopra

The cricketer-turned-commentator predicted that Ravichandran Ashwin would get a chance ahead of Washington Sundar in the first match, considering his experience.

“I feel when the match happens in Mohali, Ashwin will play ahead of Washi. Of course, Washington could also play because there are only three spinners in the team – Ravindra Jadeja, Ashwin and Sundar,” he further added.

“I feel Ashwin will be the first-choice spinner and Sundar the second. When you pick a senior player, he straightaway moves to the front of the pecking order,” Chopra concluded.

Also read: Ravichandran Ashwin Would Have Never Been In The Scene If Axar Patel Hadn’t Been Injured – Mohammad Kaif