"Ravichandran Ashwin Will Prove Deadly Against The Left-Handers" - MSK Prasad Hopes Veteran Spinner To Be Included In World Cup Squad

Former Indian wicketkeeper-batter MSK Prasad expressed delight with veteran off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin’s inclusion in the squad for the upcoming ODI series against Australia. MSK Prasad emphasized that Ravichandran Ashwin will be very useful in Indian conditions.

Ravichandran Ashwin was recalled to India’s ODI squad after nearly 20 months. He wasn’t part of India’s provisional squad for the much-awaited ODI World Cup 2023. He conceded 68 runs and went wicketless in his last ODI match against South Africa in January last year.

Ravichandran Ashwin Will Be Very Crucial For India – MSK Prasad

In a video shared by Star Sports on their X (formerly known as Twitter) handle, MSK Prasad said that Ravichandran Ashwin will be a wicket-taking option against left-handed batters in the opposition team.

“This is a very good news. I have been saying this for a while that Ashwin will be very useful for India, that too in Indian conditions. He has taken close to 500 wickets in India across formats.”

“Every team has 3-4 left-handers and he will prove deadly against the left-handers. I hope that he performs well against Australia and get selected in India’s World Cup squad,” MSK Prasad said.

The 37-year-old spinner was the main spinner in the Indian team from 2010 to 2017. However, his opportunities in the white-ball squad decreased after the 2017 Champions Trophy final. He went down the pecking order when Yuzvendra Chahal and Kuldeep Yadav emerged as wicket-takers.

Axar Patel Ruled Out Of First Two ODIs Against Australia

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) named two different squads for the series against Australia. Left-arm spinner Axar Patel was ruled out of the first two games due to a left quadriceps strain. However, Axar’s participation in the final ODI remains uncertain, despite being in the squad.

Axar Patel suffered injuries while batting in the Super Four match against Bangladesh in the recently concluded Asia Cup 2023. Young off-spinner Washington Sundar replaced him in the playing XI for the final against Sri Lanka. However, Sundar didn’t get a chance with the bat and ball in the match.

India squad for first two ODIs: KL Rahul (c & wk), Shubman Gill, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Shreyas Iyer, Ishan Kishan (wk), Suryakumar Yadav, Ravindra Jadeja, Shardul Thakur, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Mohammad Shami, Tilak Varma, Prasidh Krishna, Ravichandran Ashwin, Washington Sundar.

India squad for 3rd ODI: Rohit Sharma (c), Shubman Gill, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul (wk), Ishan Kishan (wk), Suryakumar Yadav, Ravindra Jadeja, Shardul Thakur, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Mohammad Shami, Hardik Pandya, Virat Kohli, Kuldeep Yadav, Axar Patel (subject to fitness), Washington Sundar, Ravichandran Ashwin.

Also read: Indian Cricket Suddenly Remembers Ravichandran Ashwin – Aakash Chopra On Ashwin’s ODI Recall