The Indian cricket team management on Monday announced the squad for the three ODI series against Australia. The match is seen as a dress rehearsal prior to the World Cup. Senior players including captain Rohit Sharma, senior batsman Virat Kohli, all-rounder Hardik Pandya and in-form spinner Kuldeep Yadav were rested from the first two matches, giving them a chance to get mentally fresh for the mega event. KL Rahul will lead the side in the first two matches against Australia before Rohit returns to lead a full side in the third and final ODI ahead of the World Cup starting on October 5.
The squad for the third match actually consists of the fifteen selected for the World Cup, along with Ravichandran Ashwin and Washington Sundar.
Meanwhile, the Indian cricket team returned from Sri Lanka from the Asia Cup early on Monday morning. Indian captain Rohit Sharma returned home in a Mercedes and even invited fans of police officers for selfies.
After winning the Asia Cup 2023, GREAT CAPTAIN ROHIT SHARMA arrives in Mumbai.
Clicked pictures with fans and police officers#RohitSharma pic.twitter.com/hfBfOeekdV
— Immy (@BeingImRo45) September 18, 2023
Ashwin, who last played an ODI in South Africa in January 2022, could make a last-minute addition to the World Cup if Axar does not get fit before the September 28 deadline set by the International Cricket Council.
Axar had suffered a quadriceps tear during the recent Asia Cup in Sri Lanka and missed the final against Sri Lanka on Sunday.
Chief selector Ajit Agarkar said that both Ashwin and Washington will be considered for the replacement slot if Axar does not recover in time.
“There’s a couple of guys anyway, him and Washington. Basically what we’re being told about Axar’s injury is that he’s doing well and we’re calling that we’ll make it as soon as we know, but it leaves us the option to check this.” guys if they have to go that way,” Agarkar told the media during a virtual session.
“If the need arises, we will look that way, but I don’t think there is any need to speculate at the moment because we hope that Axar is fit,” he added.
When the Ajit Agarkar-led selection panel picked the 15-man squad for the home World Cup earlier this month, questions were raised over the non-selection of an off-spinner, with some top opposition players having multiple left-handers.
After the squad announcement on Monday, captain Rohit was asked why Ashwin was not part of the Asia Cup squad if he was in the plan. The India skipper responded by saying that a proven performer like Ashwin can be included in the team straight away if the need arises.
With PTI inputs
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