Saba Karim Applauds Ashwin’s Inclusion in ODI Squad Ahead for the Australia Series

As Ravichandran Ashwin makes a sensational return to the Indian One Day International (ODI) squad, concerns over his lack of recent game time have been put to rest by Indian skipper Rohit Sharma. Ashwin, who last played an ODI for Team India in January 2022, has been drafted back into the squad due to an injury to all-rounder Axar Patel, making him a potential asset in the ICC World Cup 2023 season. 

An untimely left quadriceps strain suffered by Axar Patel during the Asia Cup paved the way for Ashwin and Washington Sundar to return to the ODI fold. If Axar fails to recover in time for the World Cup, either Ashwin or Washington is expected to step in. India, a two-time ICC World Cup champion, is set to host the upcoming edition of the tournament commencing on October 5. In preparation for this prestigious event, India will face Australia in a three-match ODI series. 

Ashwin is a ‘Match Winner’: Saba Karim

Reacting to the squad announcement for the ODI series against Australia, former cricketer Saba Karim welcomed Ashwin’s return to white-ball cricket ahead of the World Cup. Karim emphasized Rohit Sharma’s view of Ashwin as a “match-winner.” He highlighted Rohit’s strategic approach in one-day cricket, particularly his preference for players with an attacking mindset. 

“Rohit Sharma looks at Ravichandran Ashwin as a match-winner,” Saba Karim stated. “He’s very clear in the kind of approach he wants to portray in white-ball cricket. With the World Cup coming up, he understands the dynamics of one-day cricket quite well and knows that he has to pick players who have that kind of an attacking mindset,” Karim explained. 

Squad Dynamics

India has chosen to rest in-form spinner Kuldeep Yadav for the first two ODIs against Australia, with Rohit Sharma and ex-captain Virat Kohli set to return for the 3rd ODI. Vice-captain Hardik Pandya will also be rested for the first two matches of the series. India’s World Cup campaign kicks off against Australia at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai on October 8. 

Karim further elaborated, “He also knows that in his bowling lineup, he needs to have out of six, at least five wicket-taking options, and if he has Ashwin in the eleven, then that attacking option is available. If you look at all the other players who are in the reserve – they all have that attacking mindset. So, I think Rohit Sharma wants to continue with this aggressive approach that we saw the Indian team play in the Asian challenge.”

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