India squad announcement for Australia ODIs: Ashwin returns; KL Rahul captain, Rohit, Virat, Hardik rested for first two matches

Rohit downplays the challenge of travelling between venues during the World Cup, citing that his side is experienced with such situations in tournaments like the IPL. “I don’t think it’s going to be a big challenge for us but there are a certain guidelines and protocols set for us to ensure that we deliver our best,” says Rohit.

India captain Rohit Sharma says R Ashwin’s lack of game-time in the ODI format is not a concern for he has been a consistent player for India in Tests over the years. “It’s all in the head for players like him,” adds Rohit.

“We are hoping Axar Patel is fit for the third encounter. R Ashwin and Washington Sundar are also included for the third ODI,” says Ajit Agarkar.

Rohit Sharma (C), Hardik Pandya, (Vice-captain), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, Suryakumar Yadav, KL Rahul (wicketkeeper), Ishan Kishan (wicketkeeper), Ravindra Jadeja, Shardul Thakur, Axar Patel*, Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, R Ashwin, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohd. Shami, Mohd. Siraj.

India squad for first two matches: KL Rahul (C & WK), Ravindra Jadeja (Vice-captain), Ruturaj Gaikwad, Shubman Gill, Shreyas Iyer, Suryakumar Yadav, Tilak Varma, Ishan Kishan (wicketkeeper), Shardul Thakur, Washington Sundar, R Ashwin, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohd. Shami, Mohd. Siraj, Prasidh Krishna.

Rohit Sharma and Ajit Agarkar will announce the team India squad shortly in a press conference.

Matches: 42, Wickets: 65, BBI: 3/24, Eco: 5.07.

Team India captain Rohit Sharma has not shut doors on Ravichandran Ashwin, who was recently seen practising with the white-ball at the NCA in Bengaluru. Ashwin’s last ODI appearance was in January 2022, but the lack of variety in India’s spin department and an apparent injury to Axar Patel has perhaps opened the door for the return of the veteran. He will, however, be in contention for the slot in the AUS series and World Cup squad alongside Axar and statemate and fellow off-spinner, Washington Sundar.

Ashwin’s ODI record: Ashwin ranks 14th among all Indian bowlers in ODIs with 151 wickets from 113 matches.

Part of India’s 2011 World Cup-winning squad and the successive 2015 World Cup, the offie went out of favour in the format after the 2017 Champions Trophy and a subsequent tour to West Indies. Ashwin has only played twos ODIs in the six years since, both coming against South Africa in early 2022. He ended up with just one wicket from those two games.

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2023 Australia Tour of India

September 22: First ODI, Mohali (D/N), 1.30pm IST

September 24: Second ODI, Indore (D/N), 1.30pm IST

September 27: Third ODI, Rajkot (D/N), 1.30pm IST

Australia squad for ODI series against India

Pat Cummins (c), Sean Abbott, Alex Carey, Nathan Ellis, Cameron Green, Josh Hazlewood, Josh Inglis, Spencer Johnson, Marnus Labuschagne, Mitchell Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Tanveer Sangha, Matt Short, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Marcus Stoinis, David Warner, Adam Zampa

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.

Ashwin in line to replace injured Axar Patel for Australia series: Rohit Sharma

MRI scans revealed that Axar had a hamstring tear on his left leg and veteran Ashwin could feature in India’s three-match ODI series against Australia.

The India ODI squad for the three-match ODI series will be announced by captain Rohit Sharma and chairman of selectors Ajit Agarkar through a virtual press conference at 8:30 PM IST. The live announcement can be streamed online through JioCinema.

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