Veteran all-rounder R Ashwin is in line for an India call up after Axar Patel was ruled out for at least the first two ODIs against Australia, starting Friday, while Shreyas Iyer is on the verge of being match-fit for the series-opener, according to India captain Rohit Sharma.
Despite Washington having been called up for the Asia Cup final, Rohit stated R. Ashwin, the veteran offspinner, is not ruled out for the World Cup.
“As a spinner all-rounder, Ashwin is in the line, I have been talking to him on the phone. The injury happened to Axar at the last minute. Washington (Sundar) was available, so he had to come and perform the role for us,” Rohit said.
“Washington was cricket-fit because he was part of the Asian Games camp (in Bengaluru). I have been very clear with players about their roles. Everyone is in the loop,” he added.
It will be interesting to see if India decides to retain Washington for the series against Australia instead of letting him travel for the Asian Games later this week.
The 23-year-old was added to the Indian team after Axar hurt his wrist and was hit with a throw on the forearm of his bowling hand during Friday’s run-chase versus Bangladesh.
“Axar had a small (muscular) tear. It looks like maybe a week or ten days (to heal), I don’t know. We have to see how that injury progresses. Some guys recover quickly, and I hope that’s the case with him,” Rohit said after India won the Asia Cup final with a facile win against Sri Lanka.
“I am not sure whether he will be able to play the first two games against Australia at home. But we will wait and see.”
Shreyas Iyer, meanwhile, has been on the sidelines ever since suffering back spasm minutes before the toss against Pakistan last Sunday. Rohit was confident Shreyas will be match-fit for the Indore game.
“Shreyas was not available for this game because certain parameters were kept for him to tick off. I think today he completed most of it. I should say he is alright 99 per cent as of now,” Rohit said.
“But he looks good, he batted and fielded for long hours, and he was on the ground long before we came to the ground. I don’t think it is a worry for us.”\
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