BCCI’s selection panel took a bold step and brought back the veteran spinner Ravichandran Ashwin for the Australia ODI series. Ravichandran Ashwin has been an integral part of the Test team and also played 2021 & 2022 T20 WC. If Ravichandran Ashwin gets selected for the 2023 WC, then it would be his 3rd championship.
The inclusion of Ravichandran Ashwin can bring back the missing spark for India in the ODIs. There’s no doubt that Kuldeep Yadav is in the form of his life but Ravichandran Ashwin can trouble the left-handed batters and can fox them with his unplayable variations.
Ravichandran Ashwin can be a match winner for India- Arjun Ranatunga
Arjun Ranatunga was having an interaction with Indian Express. Arjun Ranatunga pointed out that India are looking for more all-rounders. Arjun Ranatunga stated that Ravichandran Ashwin is someone who can contain and take wickets in the middle overs phase.
“They are looking more at the all-rounders like Ravindra Jadeja and Axar Patel, but I personally feel that they should have someone like Ravichandran Ashwin in the squad, if not in the XI. When he plays, he can be a match-winner for you. He may be slightly older, he might be slightly slow on the field, but you need guys in the sub-continent who can contain and can take wickets,” said Arjun Ranatunga.
Threatening spin attack
According to sources with knowledge, it is understood that the left arm chinaman Kuldeep Yadav would be the frontline spinner for the ODI WC 2023. The left arm spinner Axar Patel can be the “X” factor for India and at the same time can score runs in the middle overs phase if the team is in a precarious position.
Head coach Rahul Dravid & skipper Rohit Sharma will have to be smart with the selection of spinners especially in crunch matches. It would be interesting to see if India fields 3 spinners as the surfaces in India are often spin friendly.